The Black Cats could very well revisit one summer Deadline Day target in January.
For Sunderland, not too much action will be expected in the upcoming January transfer window, however, current injuries could lead to some necessary arrivals.
On the left flank, both Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson currently find themselves sidelined as a result of injury, leading to Eliezer Mayenda being shoe-horned out wide.
The current Sunderland front line has certainly been affected by the ever-growing list of absentees, with the Black Cats clearly missing the consistent goal threat that Mundle possessed on the left flank, whilst Wilson Isidor has somewhat shied away in terms of goals, in comparison to his red-hot start to life on Wearside.
As a result, Regis Le Bris and Kristjaan Speakman may be looking towards the January transfer window to potentially bolster their attacking line, with one former Black Cats target supposedly still available for a move.
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Sunderland could reignite interest in Lyon attacker Gift Orban in January
The Black Cats were looking at several attackers on Deadline Day, including Lyon striker Gift Orban.
The 22-year-old, who has been handed an £8million market value via Transfermarkt, has found himself predominantly out of action for the Ligue 1 side.
Orban managed three appearances in a row at the end of August and into September, but ever since, he has not even been named in a league squad since the 27th of October.
The goalscorer’s supposed exile is a strange one, especially after bagging a brace in his first league appearance in the 2024/25 campaign, and it is expected that Lyon will look to get rid of the Nigerian, either in a loan deal or permanently.
Sunderland were looking at a late move for the attacker this summer, however, weren’t able to come to a conclusion with Lyon.
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Gift Orban has proven goalscoring rate that could be crucial in Championship promotion race
Looking at his recent spell at Lyon, there isn’t too much to be admired about, from his lack of game time to the sporadic and inconsistent goalscoring. However, there are certainly many more positives when looking at his time prior to his move to France.
With Belgian side KRC Gent, he managed an emphatic 2022/23 campaign, scoring 15 goals in 16 in the league, whilst also netting five in the Europa Conference League, which included a well-taken hat-trick against Icelandic side Besta Deild.
All it takes for Orban to fully reach his potential, which could be argued to be as high as Premier League level, is to have his confidence in front of goal restored.
It would no doubt be a coup for Le Bris to bring in Orban, whether it is on loan or permanently, and he will certainly provide a significant impact in terms of squad depth and a likelihood to notch goals at this level.