Sunderland are barrelling towards a January transfer window thwart with potential pitfalls for Regis Le Bris’ side.
Ahead of the January transfer window opening in a few week’s time, there’s a few growing concerns for Sunderland, as their emphatic start to the season fades away.
The Black Cats are winless in six and currently find themselves in 4th place of the Championship table, after Sunderland were beaten by Sheffield United last time out.
Regis Le Bris spoke to the press on Thursday afternoon. He says Sunderland want some attacking additions in January, but right now, a lot of the talk is about potential player departures at the Stadium of Light.
Jobe Bellingham is heavily linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund and could leave in a £25million deal, with the Black Cats seemingly ready to cash in at the right price.
Meanwhile, January also promises to be a testing month where Salis Abdul Samed is concerned.
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Salis Abdul Samed facing January trial by fire after previous exit rumours
Sunderland signed Samed on loan from Will Still’s RC Lens during the summer transfer window. But the midfield is yet to feature.
Samed has been injured for Sunderland since arriving. But Le Bris now says that Samed could return in two to three weeks, poised for a Sunderland debut around New Year.
And the news comes just a few weeks after it was claimed that RC Lens may recall Samed from Sunderland in January amid his struggles on Wearside.
Sunderland have six games in all competitions in January and if Samed can’t impress, or Le Bris shows no real interest in playing him, then both Lens and Sunderland could come to some kind of agreement before the winter window shuts.
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Sunderland’s January fixtures, and one key factor that could see Salis Abdul Samed play
Sunderland kickstart their 2025 with a home game against 1st place Sheffield United. The Black Cats also play Portsmouth, Burnley, Derby County, and Plymouth Argyle in the Championship in January, with an FA Cup clash against Stoke City.
That Stoke game is where we might see Samed get his first start, and his first real chance to impress the Sunderland faithful.
But for Le Bris, Samed might be worth keeping around in January given the likelihood of Bellingham leaving for Dortmund.
Le Bris will want a steely midfield to step up and ease the blow of Bellingham potentially leaving, and Samed may be his best bet of doing that.
January will certainly be a interesting and challenging month for Samed, who may or may not feature in Le Bris’ plans, and may or may not return to parent club Lens.