Sunderland haven’t signed a player since Wilson Isidor completed his loan switch last week.
The Black Cats have been linked with a long list of players in recent days and are believed to be working on a number of transfers before tonight’s deadline.
Their interest never means they are guaranteed to pull off these transfers though, as Sunderland fans came well aware of during their pursuit of a new striker last summer.
However, one arrival that looks very close is Chris Mepham. The defender is reportedly undergoing a medical ahead of a loan move to Wearside.
Mepham hadn’t even been mentioned as a possible signing until he had already agreed the move, with Regis Le Bris just finding out that Aji Alese’s injury is ‘worse than first thought’.
- READ MORE: Departing Sunderland player has medical ‘in progress’ ahead of £6m switch to European club
Sky Sports journalist issues Sunderland update
Sunderland will be happy to get Mepham through the door, but there remains a number of targets on their list.
Thankfully, it looks like the Black Cats won’t be ending their transfer business with the Bournemouth man.
Journalist Keith Downie wrote on X: “Sunderland are working on a number of deals this Deadline Day. Mepham looks like he won’t be the only new arrival on Wearside today…”
Nothing else matters without a striker
It did already seem pretty clear that they would be bringing in further additions, with deals for midfielders Milan Aleksic and Salis Abdul Samed still on the table.
They have also reportedly made a bid to sign Gent striker Ahmed Abdullahi, while a number of other forwards are on their radar.
Sunderland supporters will be happy to get some more players through the door, but realistically, the real dealbreaker is bringing in a No.9.
Abdullahi has scored 21 goals in 38 matches for Gent’s reserve team, but has very little senior experience – much like Luis Hemir, Eliezer Mayenda and Mason Burstow last summer.
The Wearside outfit definitely can’t rely on him and they will come under huge criticism if they don’t bring in a proven goalscorer in the next eight hours.