Sunderland have already made one big signing this month, but any hope of a second appears to be over as Chris Wilder offers an update on Sheffield United’s pursuit of Tom Cannon.
A bright start to the year saw Sunderland defeat Sheffield United in a crunch clash at the top of the Championship. Then, shortly after, the Black Cats landed their first signing of the window in Enzo Le Fee.
The high-profile arrival has caused much excitement on Wearside, but while Regis Le Bris’ side appeared to be in the running to add Tom Cannon into the mix, too, that race now looks to be lost.
It has been thought for some time now that Sheffield United were favourites to sign Cannon, but comments from the Blades boss now seem to have all-but confirmed that.
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Chris Wilder thinks Tom Cannon’s Sheffield United move is ‘pretty close’
Speaking to the press (via the Irish Examiner) after his side turned around a deficit to win against Swansea City and move to the top of the Championship table, Wilder was asked about his club’s progress in the transfer market.
He said: “We’re pretty close to Tom [Cannon] coming into the group. I’ve been focussing on the Swansea game but there’s been work going on in the background such as a medical, which is fairly common knowledge.
“Fingers crossed, we’ll get the cavalry in because there were a lot of tired bodies out there and we won by hook or crook. We desperately need players back from injury and through the door.”
Further comments from Wilder (via the Wimbledon Guardian) appear to corroborate this, with the Sheffield United manager adding: “There’s been bits and pieces happening at home and hopefully the [Cannon] deal is done.
“I’ll get my phone back on now and hopefully we’ll be strengthening the group. There’s lots of games to play and he certainly doesn’t make us weaker. We have to be stronger and need more competition for places and options.”
Although it was widely expected Cannon would move to Bramall Lane this week anyway, the fact the deal is now so close to completion must surely come as a blow to Sunderland, who are still searching for reinforcements.
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Sunderland have to find a new striker soon, as departures begin to pile up
Sunderland have already let Aaron Connolly join Millwall this month, and it would seem Nazariy Rusyn is close to leaving the club, too.
While the strike partnership between Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor continues to be successful, there is a concern that one injury could spoil that, and Sunderland would not have a sufficient replacement waiting in the wings.
As Chris Wilder says, competition for places and strength in depth are key to any team being successful. That is especially true given the nature of this season’s four-horse promotion race, where every point seems to count for so much.
If Sunderland are serious about staying on course for promotion, Regis Le Bris needs to be backed and a new forward needs to arrive on Wearside in the next 12 days.