Whilst there’s the small matter of the transfer market for clubs in the UK to navigate, there’s also games coming thick and fast. Sunderland are back in league action on Friday night against Burnley.
Sunderland started 2025 with a promotion crunch match against Sheffield United, which Regis Le Bris’ side won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. Now, the Black Cats face another tough outing against 2nd place Burnley.
Le Bris’ side are looking for a third-straight win in the league since the turn of the year. And Friday’s game could see Enzo Le Fee make his Sunderland debut with Le Bris stating that the midfielder is fit and ready to go.
And we could even see some new faces in the building before the game at Turf Moor on Friday night with Sunderland and Burnley in the race for Tom Cannon. The Black Cats seem more keen than the Clarets right now, with Sheffield United also keen.
| 1 | Leeds | 26 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 48 | 19 | 29 | 53 |
| 2 | Burnley | 26 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 31 | 9 | 22 | 52 |
| 3 | Sheffield Utd | 26 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 36 | 17 | 19 | 52 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 26 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 39 | 22 | 17 | 50 |
Rabbi Matondo left out of Rangers squad amid Sunderland links
Another name reportedly wanted on Wearside is Rangers and Wales winger Rabbi Matondo. On Wednesday, it was claimed that Sunderland are interested in signing Matondo who’s featured six times in the Scottish top flight this season, scoring and assisting twice. However, it was also claimed that he’s agreed a deal to join an unnamed European club.
Rangers beat Aberdeen 3-0 at Ibrox on Wednesday night. But Matondo was nowhere to be seen with manager Phillippe Clement leaving him out of the matchday squad entirely. Speaking after the game, Clement explained the decision.
He told The Scotsman: “I cannot give any update about loans or not, or players going or not, until something is concrete and it’s not the case for the moment.
“I can say about Rabbi that I made a choice, a sporting choice today to put two young lads (Bailey Rice and Zakariya Lovelace) on the bench because I think they are performing for the moment better.”
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Sunderland already know Rabbi Matondo’s price tag
Matondo certainly seems to be out of favour at Rangers, and he might not be all that expensive with The Scotsman stating last summer that the Gers wanted just £2million for Matondo, who was wanted by the likes of Leeds United at the time.
That might make him an affordable signing for many in the Championship. But for Sunderland, who are tipped to spend up to £13million on Cannon, a loan move for Matondo may be preferred.
Then there’s always the chance that the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, who are also linked with Matondo right now, sneak in and win the race for his signature, whilst the Black Cats focus on other signings.