Sunderland have a number of names seemingly on their transfer radar right now. And most of them are very exciting links, if not all of them. And their best signing of the window may have already happened.
Ahead of the Stoke City defeat on Saturday, Sunderland announced the highly-anticipated loan signing of Roma’s Enzo Le Fee, who joins on a deal until the end of the 2024/25 season.
It’s a huge signing for the Black Cats and one that’s put the rest of the title-chasing pack in the Championship on alert. Right now, Sunderland sit just three points behind leaders Leeds United in 4th, after Regis Le Bris’ side won 1-0 away at Portsmouth in their last league fixture.
A striker signing now looks like the priority for Sunderland who look set to lose Aaron Connolly to Millwall. But an addition elsewhere, even another in midfield, can’t be ruled out. That’s especially true when reported target Thalente Mbatha is scoring screamers for fun.
Thalente Mbatha scores wonder goal for Orlando Pirates
In all competitions this season, Mbatha has scored five goals. But like Wilson Isidor, all of his goals so far in 2024/25 have been high-quality ones, with Mbatha scoring his most recent goal on Sunday night. The South African international scored in Orlando Pirates’ 2-1 CONCACAF Champions League win over Algerian outfit CR Belouizdad
Earlier in January, it was reported that Sunderland are keen on Mbatha who plays his football with Orlando in the South African Premiership. And it’s also been revealed that Orlando want just £858,000 for Mbatha during this January transfer window.
The 24-year-old has scored three league goals in 2024/25 and two in his first two caps for South Africa; his first coming in September 2024. Check out his latest strike below and his highlights reel further below.
Thalente Mbatha highlights for Orlando Pirates in 2024/25
Mbatha has really announced himself as an all round midfielder at Orlando, whom he only joined on a permanent deal last summer.
He’s definitely got an eye for goal as his highlights prove and that type of central midfielder has been a bit of a commodity in the last few years, especially in the Championship and at Sunderland.
Mbatha’s goals are somewhat reminiscent of Dan Neil who scored a great goal against Swansea City in December. But Mbatha has been a bit more prolific than Neil normally is, with the Sunderland skipper having scored just six league goals in two-and-a-half seasons.
Check out Mbatha’s 2024/25 goals below…