Sunderland could be on alert as a player they wanted to sign from rivals Middlesbrough in 2023 is now hoping to leave in January.
Sunderland don’t often poach players from rival Championship teams. But with the Black Cats sitting pretty in 4th place of the table, they’re as attractive a team to join as ever.
Kristjaan Speakman brought nine new players to the Stadium of Light in the summer and now Sunderland look set to be busy in January, although player sales looks set to be the bigger focus.
The likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg are wanted by Real Madrid whilst goalkeeper Antony Patterson has had links to Manchester United in the first half of the 2024/25 season.
Regis Le Bris’ side could have some gaps to fill in their side if the likes of Rigg and Bellingham leave in the New Year, and for Speakman there might be a viable replacement elsewhere in the North-East.
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Sunderland wanted to sign Middlesbrough star Isaiah Jones in 2023
An emerging report from Football League World has claimed that Sunderland were keen on signing Middlesbrough attacker Isaiah Jones in 2023.
The 25-year-old turned heads after an impressive 2021/22 season in the Championship and at one point had interest from a handful of Premier League teams.
His form for Boro has since been mixed. Jones scored eight and assisted four in the Championship last time round but is yet to record a single goal contribution in the league this time round.
The same report from FLW says that Jones is now eyeing an exit from the Riverside in January.
Sunderland may have their eyes on another attacker in January
Jones is certainly a proven name in the Championship, with 128 total appearances in the second tier and 12 goals and 18 assists.
For Sunderland, he’d be a useful addition given his experienced and versatility on the right side. Though he’s not someone who Sunderland could likely make a big profit on, especially given the fact that he’d like cost a fair sum in January.
Instead, Speakman and co seem to fancy a loan move for Aston Villa youngster Louie Barry who’s shone on loan at Stockport County in League One this season.
Sunderland are keen on a loan deal for Barry but face competition from a number of other clubs in January.
Whether Sunderland spend anything at all in the upcoming winter window remains to be seen.