Middlesbrough have reportedly moved ahead of Sunderland in the race to sign Amad Diallo on loan from Manchester United.
Sunderland are still waiting to complete their first piece of business in this transfer window.
The Black Cats have targeted Leicester City left-back Luke Thomas while Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore tops their list of striker targets.
Michael Beale also wants to strengthen the quality of his right flank.
Patrick Roberts has struggled to hit the heights of last season and is currently sidelined through injury, therefore increasing the importance of investing in this area.
The player everyone wants to see return to the Stadium of Light is Manchester United winger Amad Diallo.
He was spectacular for Sunderland on loan last term and Mowbray wanted him to return to the club this season but accepted that a deal would be difficult to do.
However, they could now watch rivals Middlesbrough win the race for his signature.
Middlesbrough move ahead in the race for Amad Diallo
Writing on his Patreon, journalist Alan Nixon has revealed that Middlesbrough are winning the race for Diallo by offering the most cash towards his wages.
He states that their contributions are well ahead of the other interested clubs.
While Boro hope to reach an agreement with Man United shortly, the Black Cats will need to move swiftly if they are to lure him back to the club.
They’ve not made a “major play” for him as of yet and are making a huge mistake by allowing their rivals to steal a march without tabling an offer themselves.
Sunderland need to move for Diallo now
This is a pivotal transfer window for the board as supporters become increasingly frustrated with some of their decision-making.
First, sacking Tony Mowbray and replacing him with Beale left fans bemused and now they are annoyed over how this transfer situation is being handled.
Sunderland aren’t delivering the results on the pitch and off it, they are pondering over transfers that need to be done.
After scoring 12 often spectacular goals for the Black Cats last term and being praised by Mowbray as “unbelievable”, the board should have done everything in their power to bring him back this season.
Diallo enjoyed his time at the Stadium of Light and although Mowbray played a huge part in his development, returning to familiar surroundings would have been a no-brainer.
Instead, it looks like their North East rivals are going to win the race for his signature and if that does happen, supporters will have the right to feel even more annoyed.
It would be a bitter pill to swallow watching Diallo turn out in the red and white of Boro instead of Sunderland and the club must now make a last-ditch attempt to sign him.