Sunderland have a few irons in the fire ahead of deadline day. But those irons keep on getting take out by different clubs, who keep on signing their reported transfer targets.
Sunderland still have just the one January signing to their name. Enzo Le Fee joined on loan from Roma earlier in the month the Black Cats haven’t been able to add since.
There’s been some names who’ve been very heavily linked. One was Tom Cannon who Sunderland were ready to spend big on, but for promotion rivals Sheffield United getting in ahead of the Black Cats.
Attacking signings is the priority for Sunderland right now and Kristjaan Speakman is working on a number of targets ahead of deadline day on February 3rd, which inconveniently sees Sunderland play away at Middlesbrough.
But yet another target has made the move elsewhere, following news that Chuba Akpom is moving to Lille on loan.
Sunderland target Rabbi Matondo seals surprise Hannover 96 move
Rabbi Matondo has been in transfer headlines of late. Sunderland were among those linked with the former Manchester City man, who’s now sealed a loan move to 2.Bundesliga side Hannover 96. And the German outfit have the chance to sign him permanently in the summer.
Hannover, who currently sit in 5th place of the German second tier table, will pay a fee of just £1million to sign the 24-year-old Matondo in the summer according to BILD, providing they can secure promotion to the Bundesliga.
Even for Sunderland in the Championship, £1million for a player with a proven track record like Matondo, would’ve been a steal. And now Speakman may be ruing Matondo’s move elsewhere.
Sunderland winger could leave before deadline day
Le Bris said recently that attacking signings is his priority; not necessarily a no.9 but someone who can generally operate in the final third. A player like Matondo.
Now, Sunderland risk losing Tommy Watson who Brighton seem very keen on landing in the final days of the January transfer window. It’s said that Sunderland could be tempted to sell Watson should a big bid come in, with the teenager in the final 18 months of his contract at the Stadium of Light.
So missing out on Matondo may now be a big deal for Speakman and Sunderland. Despite the excitement of the Le Fee and now Wilson Isidor signing, this January transfer window could still peter out into another frustration one for the Black Cats.