Sunderland’s January transfer window has slowed down a bit, following the earlier arrival of Enzo Le Fee. Who the club signs next is really anyone’s guess.
Enzo Le Fee is the sole signing of Sunderland’s January transfer window so far. But it seems unlikely that he’ll be the last with the Black Cats looking keen on a few players, particularly in the attacking department.
Several names are being linked with Sunderland ahead of deadline day. For Kristjaan Speakman, it looks like a new striker is the no.1 priority, with names like Chuba Akpom, Emil Riis, and Matija Frigan all linked in the last week or so.
But Regis Le Bris’ side are seemingly nowhere near a new signing as we enter the final seven days of the winter transfer window. Transfers can of course happen very fast, but news of a potential signing being close would’ve surely leaked, if a signing was close.
Though we do have an answer on one player: Louie Barry. Reports claim that he’s set to join Hull City on loan.
- READ MORE: Sunderland now battling Newcastle United in race for ‘top-level’ teen, Magpies ready to spend big
Sunderland set to miss out on Louie Barry
Aston Villa recalled Barry from his impressive loan spell with Stockport County in the first half of the 2024/25 season, with a view to sending him out on loan to the Championship. After a few weeks back at Villa Park, Villa have reportedly decided to send the former Barcelona man to Hull City.
Sunderland were interested in Barry along with a number of other Championship sides. But talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has revealed that Unai Emery fancied sending Barry to Hull because of Tigers boss Ruben Selles.
Emery views fellow Spaniard Selles as the ideal man for Barry’s development going forward. Something that Le Bris and Sunderland may not totally agree with.
Aston Villa have missed a trick by not sending Louie Barry to Sunderland
There’s certainly arguments for and against sending Barry to Sunderland. But sending Barry to the Stadium of Light seems to be the argument with the most amount of evidence.
The Black Cats boast the youngest squad in the Championship and they sit in 4th place of the table. A horde of young players have come to Sunderland and blossomed, with the likes of Jack Clarke eventually moving on for big money, with names like Jobe Bellingham and many more still thriving at the club.
Even loan players have shone at the club in recent seasons; Amad Diallo the key one. So Villa may have missed a tricky by not sending Barry to Sunderland, who clearly seemed keen on signing the 21-year-old.
Hull though may be viewed as a safer bet as Barry will undoubtedly get game time there. At Sunderland, it might have been harder to come by. But Le Bris and Sunderland surely won’t agree with Villa’s reported reasoning for sending Barry to Hull City.