The January transfer window is now less than a week away and Sunderland will be one of many teams looking to improve their squad.
The Black Cats are in a strong position in the Championship table around the halfway stage but they must not rest on their laurels.
A few transfer moves could be the difference between a long-awaited promotion to the Premier League and another season in the second tier.
Here are the deals that Football Manager 2024 predicts Regis Le Bris’ side will complete in the window.
- READ MORE: Sunderland given clear sight of 14-goal attacker as north-east rivals change mind over January deal
Football Manager predicts Sunderland’s January sales
- Dan Ballard (£15.25m to Fulham)
- Joe Anderson (Loan to Gateshead)
Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg are often linked with moves away from the Stadium of Light but Sunderland managed to keep hold of them in this simulation.
However, Kristjaan Speakman accepted an offer for ex-Arsenal centre-back Dan Ballard that was seemingly too good to turn down (£15.25 million).
Elsewhere, Joe Anderson, who is free to leave Sunderland in January, joined local National League club Gateshead on loan.
Football Manager simulates Sunderland’s January signings
Transfers IN
- Mickael Malsa (Free)
- Merveille Bokadi (Free)
- Deivid Washington (Loan from Chelsea)
One area which Sunderland need to strengthen is central midfield. Salis Abdul Samed joined on loan in the summer but has been out with injury ever since.
Martinique international Mickael Maisa addressed this issue on Football Manager. The ball-winner is currently a free agent, with Kasimpasa, Real Valladolid and Levante among his former clubs.
After the sale of Ballard, Sunderland also needed to sign a replacement central defender and Merveille Bokadi was the man for the job.
The 27-year-old spent six-and-a-half seasons with Belgian club Standard Liege and has over 30 caps for Congo.
Black Cats fans have been calling out for another forward option in recent weeks, with Wilson Isidor coming under criticism.
The loan addition of Chelsea youngster Deivid Washington is the sort of deal that could propel the Wearside club to promotion.