Sunderland look poised to make some late moves in the final days of the January transfer window.
For Sunderland and many clubs in England, this month’s transfer window has largely been one to forget.
The Black Cats are yet to make a single signing this month and they’re not the only team either. But, and like many others too, Sunderland look set to make some last-minute moves in the market.
And the club’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has offered some insight into what the club might be on the lookout for ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Kristjaan Speakman hints at possible midfield additions
Sunderland have a few areas on the pitch which could do with another body.
Up front is the main one and Sunderland still look as though they’re trying to sign a striker this month, but central midfield is another problem position; even more so after the recent news of Alex Pritchard wanting to leave the club before the window shuts.
And now, speaking to Sunderland Echo, Speakman has revealed that the club are keen on signing another central midfielder.
He said:
“I think we have got some really good midfield players and depending on who we’re facing on a Saturday and how we might look to tweak and amend things, you’re looking for certain preferences within someone’s skill set. Would we like to add another player in the middle of the pitch? Yeah, I think we would like to have a little bit more difference [in our options] to create a bit more balance.”
Alex Pritchard exit could actually be good news for Sunderland
On the face of it, Pritchard leaving is not good news. He’s been one of Sunderland’s better players in recent weeks and his absence will certainly be a miss.
But his exit paves the way for a couple of things; it could allow Pierre Ekwah to play a bit more advanced, which many think he is better-suited to, and which could also take some strain off Jobe Bellingham who seems to be desperately in need of some resting time.
And Pritchard’s exit also allows the club to bring in a new, more defensive-minded midfielder, which is what the club desperately needs along with a new striker.
So whilst the Pritchard saga will hurt for a while, it might yet prove to be beneficial in the long run, providing that Sunderland do bring in a new midfielder to replace him.
Up next for the Black Cats is a trip to Middlesbrough this weekend.