This 2024/25 season has seen no shortage of outside interest in Sunderland players. In the final two weeks of the transfer window, we’re bound to see some more interest emerge.
Sunderland are pushing for promotion to the Premier League after an eight-year hiatus, and with that in mind, it looks like owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will rule out any player sales in this month’s window.
So far, the club have stood firm. Recently emerging transfer interest in Dan Neil has been met with reports that Sunderland won’t sell anyone before deadline day, which will be good news to fans and indeed Regis Le Bris.
After Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Derby County in midweek, Le Bris has his side sitting in 4th place of the Championship table with five points standing between the Black Cats and Leeds United in 1st.
So far in this January window, Sunderland have signed Enzo Le Fee on loan from Roma and more signings look inevitable. But sporting Kristjaan Speakman will have to deal with both incomings and outgoings nonetheless.
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Hibernian boss hints at signing Sunderland loan man Nectarios Triantis
Sunderland fans won’t have forgotten about Nectarios Triantis: The 21-year-old Australian who joined from Central Coast Mariners in 2023 but has spent the bulk of his time as a Sunderland player on loan at Hibernian.
He’s now in his second stint on loan with the Scottish Premiership side and he’s steadily become a revelation for David Gray’s side. In this 2024/25 season, Triantis has played 19 times in the Scottish Premiership with two goals and two assists to his name.
Playing as a central midfielder, Triantis has become a hit at Hibs. And speaking to Edinburgh News, Gray has discussed the possibility of signing Triantis on a permanent deal.
He said: “Obviously he’s doing really well at the moment. With Nectar, he’s obviously contracted to a Championship club. They’re doing really well as well, Sunderland, so a lot will probably depend on what happens with them. They have aspirations to try and get promoted to the Premier League.
“He’s still there next season, so what does that look like for Nectar? There are loads of ifs and buts on how that can change moving forward.
“One thing I would say from our point of view is I think he’s doing really well, which is great, the fact we’re talking about him, the fact that he’s getting better all the time in that position and he’s enjoying football. So that’s the biggest thing I take out of it.
“He’s learning, he’s getting better all the time, he’s desperate to keep improving and he’s enjoying himself and training every day. So he’s in a good place and hopefully that can continue.”
Nectarios Triantis’ stance on his Sunderland future
Triantis is certainly turning heads north of the border, and if Sunderland are promoted then they might well entertain offers to sell Triantis on a permanent basis as he’d really struggle for game time in the Premier League.
But the Australian is hoping to eventually play his part on Wearside. Speaking earlier in January, Triantis revealed his stance on his Sunderland future, saying: “I have a lot of love for Sunderland. This is my club. The aim is to be a consistent feature in red and white one day, but for now, I’m focusing on my time with Hibs.”
If Hibs can come in with an offer that matches Sunderland’s valuation, if they have one, then it could make sense for all to cash in. Sunderland still have a well-stocked central midfield department though that could change in the summer, promotion or not.