Sunderland are poised to do some business in January, and amid this tough run of form in the Championship, there may be a specific need for the Black Cats in the market.
Sunderland have now won one of their last eight in the Championship, with Regis Le Bris’ side sitting in 4th place of the table and five points behind leaders Sheffield United.
Just a few weeks ago, the Black Cats had a five-point lead over the Blades at the top of the pile. But their recent struggles were summed up in midweek, as Sunderland had to rescue a late point at home to Bristol City.
A key concern for Le Bris right now is the lack of goals: in their last eight, the Black Cats have fired blanks on five occasions, scoring just six goals.
Wilson Isidor is their top scorer in the Championship this season with five goals. But the Frenchman, on loan from Zenit, hasn’t scored in any of his last five now, and that’s compared to the league’s top scorer Borja Sainz who already has 15 goals for Norwich City this season.
Sunderland should rescue Patrick Bamford from Leeds United exile
A new striker could be ideal for in January with Isidor proving patchy and the likes of Aaron Connolly likewise. Speaking on Sunderland’s plans for the January transfer window, though, Le Bris often plays down the chances his side signing too many players.
One player who could be an ideal fit for Sunderland in January is Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford. The 31-year-old has 69 goals in 207 Championship outings but has only featured seven times in the league for Leeds this season.
Bamford, a cult favourite at Leeds, is a proven name in the second tier, and he’s seemingly free to leave Leeds United.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey previously told Leeds United News: “I think they would listen to offers for him, so let’s see how that transpires. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone lower down.”
Patrick Bamford’s Leeds wages compared to Sunderland’s highest-paid player
Per Capology, Sunderland’s highest-paid player this season is Dan Ballard, who brings home £25,000-a-week.
And per the same source, Bamford is the highest-paid at Elland Road, earning a whopping £70,000-a-week.
So for Bamford to join Sunderland, or anyone else in the Championship for that matter, he’d either have to take a huge pay cut, or Leeds would have to front up some of the wages, providing he left on loan.
Interestingly, he remains under contract at Leeds until the summer of 2026, and with gametime proving difficult right now, a loan move elsewhere could be beneficial for all as Leeds could put him in the shop window ahead of a possible sale next summer.
Whether or not Leeds would lend him to a promotion rival is another question, though.