The January transfer window saw Sunderland make a few useful signings, but they also missed out on plenty of targets, including Marcus Edwards.
The Sporting Lisbon star ended up joining Championship rivals Burnley on loan until the end of the season, with Scott Parker’s influence thought to be key to his decision to opt against signing for Sunderland.
Burnley have reaped the rewards of that signing so far, with Marcus Edwards bagging two goals in his first four games for the Clarets.
But, what does the future hold for the 26-year-old? Many suspect he will end up joining Burnley permanently, especially if they get promoted this season, but that may not be the case after all.
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Sporting Lisbon want Marcus Edwards to improve through loan spell
The latest on Edwards’ situation comes from Sporting Lisbon themselves, as the club’s president Frederico Varandas discussed why the player was sent on loan in the first place.
Speaking to Sporting TV (via Portuguese outlet A Bola), Varandas appeared to suggest that the club merely wanted to give Edwards the chance to improve in fresh surroundings.
“It was a decision by Sporting’s management. He’s our asset, he’s talented and we believe in him,” Varandas said. “Obviously, we have to be better to bring out the best in Marcus Edwards and he has to be better to give his best. He’s our player and we believed it was best to loan him out.”
Surely, then, for Burnley or indeed Sunderland, the idea of having Edwards on their summer shopping list may have taken a hit with this admission.
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Will Marcus Edwards return to Sporting at the end of the season?
Clearly, Sporting Lisbon have a vested interest in Edwards finding some form. Either they get the player back in the summer and he’s rejuvenated, ready to make an impact in Portugal once more, or his value climbs and they make a tidy sale.
By the sound of Varandas’ comments, he would prefer the former to happen. After all, it’s easier to get the best out of one of your own players than to invest in new ones.
It may be that Burnley end up finding themselves in a similar position to Sunderland do with Enzo Le Fee. Promotion would make it far more likely that the loan players will stick around, but failing to go up would mean the Championship clubs certainly lose these special players.
The problem is, given the state of the Championship table right now, we can only see one of Burnley and Sunderland going up. Leeds and Sheffield United appear to be on their way to automatic promotion, which means hearts will be broken in Lancashire or Wearside one way or another.