Sunderland kickstarted their January transfer business with the impressive loan signing of Enzo Le Fee from Roma. Now, Kristjaan Speakman has set himself a very high bar for the remainder of the window.
In a way, anyone who joins Sunderland will have Enzo Le Fee to compare themselves too. The Black Cats have really set the standard for this month’s transfer window and it’s going to be hard for Kristjaan Speakman to top that signing.
Tom Cannon would’ve been an equally exciting signing. But it looks like Sheffield United are going to sign Cannon in reported £10million deal, in a move that will really bolster the Blades’ promotion push.
But Regis Le Bris’ side are turning their attentions towards Matija Frigan, with reports that Sunderland have agreed to sign Frigan on loan from Westerlo, with an option to buy worth more than £12million.
And now, there’s a new name on the Black Cats’ January transfer radar, but it’s likely not one that fans have heard of before.
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Sunderland eye Hibernian youngster Reuben McAllister
An emerging report from Daily Record’s live transfer blog (January 21st 2024, 12:43pm) has revealed that Sunderland and Championship rivals Swansea City have been alerted to Hibernian youngster Reuben McAllister, who is out of contract in the summer.
The 18-year-old midfielder is formerly of Bristol City where he was a youth player there. But Sunderland and the Swans have been tracking the Scot for some time and they could offer him a route back into English football.
Daily Record add that both clubs want to add McAllister to their development squads. Former Hibs and Sunderland manager Lee Johnson previously described McAllister as a ‘top young player’.
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Reuben McAllister’s career so far
Born in, McAllister spent seven years in the Bristol City academy from 2015 to 2022 and made his debut for the U23s at the age of just 15.
He then sealed a six-figure transfer to Hibernian in 2022 and has been an unused substitute in Europa Conference League matches, even making his professional debut in the competition.
But the youngster is yet to make a league appearance for Hibs. Instead, he’s spent time out on loan, playing for Scottish lower league sides Kelty Hearts and Cove Rangers in 2024.
McAllister is a left-footed central midfielder who can also operate in a more advanced midfield role too.