Sunderland look set to send another player out on loan today – but it is not a move that anyone would have expected.
The Black Cats are expecting a number of fringe players to leave before tonight’s deadline, with Pierre Ekwah already undergoing a medical at Saint-Etienne.
Timothee Pembele is also having a medical at Le Havre, while the likes of Adil Aouchiche, Abdoullah Ba and Jewison Bennette have also been linked with the exit door.
Luis Hemir is one man who will be desperate to leave Sunderland today, having managed only nine minutes of action this season in the Carabao Cup.
The striker has been heavily criticised since joining the club last summer, having failed to score in his 24 appearances.
The Black Cats are eager to send him out on loan to pick up some experience, but it now looks like he could be off to one of the biggest clubs in the world.
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Luis Hemir set for crazy loan switch
Portuguese newspaper Record have reported that Hemir is set to join Juventus on loan with the option to buy next summer.
Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley has since echoed the rumours, writing on X: “Understand the Hemir to Juventus reports are accurate and the deal looks like it could happen today.”
Hemir will be joining the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik in Juve’s attack.
Why do Juventus want to sign the Sunderland striker?
The Italian club may well be looking to add some depth following their return to the Champions League, but there is surely no chance he is going to play senior football for them.
If Juve have watched Hemir in action for Sunderland then it is unbelievable that they still think he is capable of scoring goals for them.
He will surely be expected to play for Juventus Next Gen in Serie C, which could well be at his level. But for them to consider buying him next summer seems like a step too far.
The 21-year-old will wonder how he’s managed to earn himself such a move, but he definitely won’t have any complaints.
It is surely likely that he will return to Wearside next summer though, and as long as he has impressed on his loan spell then the Black Cats could still benefit.
Though if he does move permanently, Hemir could well just look to move him on for profit rather than having plans for him to be integrated into the first-team set-up.