Under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Sunderland’s record player signing is that of Milan Aleksic, who cost the Black Cats a reported £3.5million in the summer. In this January transfer window, could the Sunderland owner smash that record?
Sunderland signed Milan Aleksic on deadline day of the last summer transfer window. It was a milestone signing for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, though Aleksic has endured a rather torrid time at the Stadium of Light so far with just two Championship appearances to his name.
Now with the January transfer window upon us, Sunderland look set to do business. The Black Cats are being linked with a number of names as well as having several players attracting interest, with Jobe Bellingham now linked with Arsenal and Manchester United among others.
One name linked with a move to the Stadium of Light is Louie Barry. Sunderland want to sign Barry on loan following his impressive 15-goal haul on loan with League One Stockport County in the first half of the season.
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Sunderland told how much they’ll need to spend on Louie Barry
It’s recently been revealed that Aston Villa want to sell Barry, instead of send him back out on loan again. That initially put Sunderland out of the running with Barry previously having a price tag of £12.5million, which is well out of Sunderland’s price range.
But speaking to Villa News, former Aston Villa scout Bryan King has suggested that Unai Emery’s side will want as little as £7million for the former Barcelona gem. He said: “They’d be looking for a fee of around £7million.
“That could rise based on appearances and other performance-related factors. Barry will have very limited opportunities at the club when he does return.
“Therefore, Villa might be looking to cash in, and now would be the time to sell him. I’d imagine it will be one of those deals where there would first be an initial payment, and then if things go well there could be a further payment, which could take the fee up to £10million.”
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How much will Sunderland spend in January?
Last January, Sunderland spent £2million on Romaine Mundle, as well as a small undisclosed fee for Leo Hjelde. And we can expect a small bit of spending again this time round.
But it’ll be nothing close to the £7million needed to sign Barry from Villa. Speaking to Sunderland AFC News recently, transfer expert Graeme Bailey said of Sunderland’s January spending: “We are unlikely to see major investment in the New Year, but keeping their star men would be the really big achievement for the Black Cats and their boss Regis Le Bris.”
Keeping players then might be, by far and away, the most important focus for Sunderland during the January transfer window. Then come the end of the window, when outgoings are mostly said and done, we might see some last minute spending.