Sunderland look as though they’re closing in on making their first signing of the January transfer window.
Sunderland have had a turbulent month so far.
Boss Michael Beale has endured a tough start to life at the Stadium of Light and is already a man under huge pressure, following a dismal 1-0 defeat at home to Hull City last time out.
The board have been tipped to back him though and they could do so with a few new signings between now and deadline day.
A handful of names have been linked but the latest tipped to join the Black Cats is Barnsley and Hungary wing-back Calum Styles.
Keith Downie reported yesterday that Sunderland had made their move for the 23-year-old, who was then left out of the Barnsley side that faced Oxford United in League One last night.
Barnsley boss confirms Calum Styles negotiations
After the game, Barnsley boss Neill Collins confirmed that Styles is ‘in negotiations with another club’, with Barnsley Chronicle adding that Styles is ‘thought to be close’ to a move to Sunderland; on loan and with a view to a permanent deal.
Born in Bury, Styles has been with Barnsley since the 2018/19 campaign and he’s since racked up more than 150 total appearances for the Tykes, even making a name for himself on the international stage with Hungary.
This season, Styles has featured 20 times in League One, scoring three and assisting two, playing at both left wing-back and in the centre of midfield.
Sunderland beginning their January haul with a huge coup
Styles will be a huge signing for Sunderland, and especially so if they eventually sign him on a permanent deal.
This one appears to have come about quickly and Styles will provide some much-needed depth and quality to the left-back area which is light on numbers, but he can also provide coverage in the middle of the park and in a more advanced winger position too.
It’s a signing that really makes sense for the Black Cats and Beale will surely be hoping that it kickstarts a busy final week of the window for Sunderland, who desperately need some new blood to get their season back on track.
Sunderland remain in 10th and just three points outside the top six. But it’s the negative style of play under Beale which has really turned fans against him.
With a few more players though, it might yet work out for Beale at Sunderland; up next is a home game against Stoke City this weekend.