A player linked with Sunderland in 2023 has had a whirlwind 2024. Ahead of 2025, he looks set to be on the move.
Sunderland’s transfer strategy has quietly become the envy of many in the Championship over the past couple of seasons.
Kristjaan Speakman has put together a first-team squad likely worth in excess of £100million with names like Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, to name a couple, bound to net the club some huge transfer profits in 2025.
January could see a lot of players coming and going at the Stadium of Light, too. Bellingham is heavily linked with a Sunderland exit, with Borussia Dortmund keen, whilst the Black Cats also seem keen on some signings of their own.
Regis Le Bris has offered mixed verdicts on the upcoming January transfer window, suggesting that Sunderland could be quite quiet in January after previously hinting that one or two signings might be needed.
If there’s money to be spent though, it could be focused in attack where Sunderland have slipped up in recent weeks. And one familiar name may come back bac onto Speakman’s transfer radar.
Sunderland 2023 target Kwame Poku shines for Peterborough United this season
Towards the end of 2023, Sunderland were linked with Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku.
Last season, the 23-year-old Ghana international scored 11 and assisted seven in 39 League One outings for Posh. This time round, he’s already scored 10 and assisted five more, making him the player with the most goal contributions in the third tier this season.
He’s since been named one of the ‘stars of the season’ in League One by Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Simeon Gholam.
Kwame Poku transfer interest ahead of January – could Sunderland be in the mix?
Poku certainly fits the profile of a Speakman signing at Sunderland: young, exciting, and not likely to break the bank.
Ahead of January, there’s huge interest growing in Poku with the likes of Crystal Palace and Rangers linked, and tipped to make a move in the New Year.
There’s no reports suggesting that the Black Cats are keen, though. But having been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light in the past, and having been so impressive since, it may be safe to assume that he’s been kept an eye on by Speakman and Sunderland.
That said, the Black Cats have the likes of Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson on the flanks, who both need game time, and Poku coming in could hinder that.
It’s certainly one to keep a close eye on, though.