Sunderland ideally want to sign up to three attacking reinforcements in January, but are prepared to wait until the summer if a “tough market” does not improve in the coming weeks.
There is money available to spend and Sunderland were one of three Premier League clubs who registered an interest in Brennan Johnson before the Wales forward moved to Crystal Palace. Given that he was signed for around £35m it is an indication of the sort of funds that are available to spend if the right player becomes available.
But the market is slow and that means that a spending spree to rival Wearside’s summer revolution feels unlikely. Executives, agents and club officials across the Premier League are bemoaning a “completely flat” January transfer window, where the big players are seen as unattainable and prices quoted feel unrealistic.
That has forced Sunderland, like many other clubs, to play the long game when it comes to recruitment.
“If we can improve and reinforce the squad, we will,” boss Regis Le Bris said on Tuesday, before acknowledging trading conditions were “tough”.
A right-winger and central midfielder are believed to be on their wishlist with the club also considering utilising the loan market. Those incomings may be balanced by outgoings, with Luke O’Nien attracting interest from multiple Championship clubs and a resolution needed over the future of midfielder Dan Neil.
The former captain has become a bit-part player this season and with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, this is the last time the club can feasibly command a fee for him. There is understood to be interest from Premier League and Championship clubs in the 24-year-old.
For the ambitious Black Cats, January represents a dilemma. While Le Bris would never say it outright, the threat of relegation has been entirely snuffed out by virtue of their flying start. That means another year of guaranteed Premier League money and perhaps a chance to strengthen the starting XI with a view to challenging for a place in Europe.
Sunderland have made a virtue of not being “reactive” in the transfer market and insiders have long maintained the recruitment plan is a long-term one that will play out over multiple windows. But this feels like a big opportunity.
There are plenty of things going in their favour if they decide to make decisive market moves. For a start their position in relation to the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) is so healthy that they have the ability to make a considerable outlay if the right player becomes available.
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With some of their Premier League rivals much closer to the PSR limit, there is the chance that they could outbid the likes of Everton, Leeds and Bournemouth in the European markets they like to operate in.
There is also momentum behind the Sunderland project. As previously revealed by The i Paper, their flying start has made them a much more attractive proposition to potential signings, allowing them to target “another level” of player.
Sunderland have played their return to the Premier League perfectly so far. If they can tick off their three transfer targets in January, anything is possible in the second half of the season.
from Football - The i Paper https://ift.tt/K798PEA
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