Sunderland’s transfer window is quickly becoming quite a mixed one. They’ve made one amazing signing, but that’s the club’s sole signing.
Sunderland officials deserve huge praise for the loan signing of Enzo Le Fee from Roma. The Frenchman has shone in his opening games and looks like a quality signing for the Black Cats.
But fans may harbour some fears going into deadline day with no more signings looking like they’re imminent at the Stadium of Light right now.
It’s clear that Sunderland want to sign a striker with several having been linked: Tom Cannon was wanted by he’s since joined Sheffield United, along with Ben Brereton Diaz who was also linked.
A new striker seems like the priority, though expect Kristjaan Speakman to have an eye on other positions, and maybe even on the summer transfer window with the Sunderland sporting director always looking to the future.
One player who Speakman seems desperate to land in the long run is Wigan Athletic and England U21 goalkeeper Sam Tickle.
Wigan Athletic boss responds to rumours of Preston bid for Sam Tickle
Sunderland have been linked with Tickle for several transfer windows now. But on Wednesday it was claimed that Sunderland’s Championship rivals Preston have bid for Tickle, who’s kept 11 clean sheets in 27 Championship outings for the Latics this season.
Speaking to Wigan Today, Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney has since rubbished the rumours of a Preston bid for Tickle. He said: “No, we didn’t receive a bid for Sam. And I’d be pretty certain Sam will be staying with us through this window, yeah.”
Sunderland were last linked with Tickle in the previous summer transfer window. Since then Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with the 22-year-old.
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What Matty Young has said about his Sunderland future
The goalkeeping department at Sunderland could see a shakeup in the summer: Anthony Patterson is under fire right now and the Black Cats will also have Matty Young returning from his loan at Salford City.
Young has been linked with Manchester City this season having been in fine form for Salford. But Young wants to play for Sunderland in the future, saying recently: “I want to play for this club in the future, that is the goal for me. I am working my way up to hopefully get my opportunity. I am really pleased with the progress I am making so far.”
So unless a big club comes in for Patterson in the summer, which seems unlikely given his questionable form of late, a Sunderland move for Tickle may be unlikely.
But he’s certainly someone who Speakman has done his homework on and if he continues to impress, then Sunderland could be tempted to make a move regardless of their current options.