All the transfer talk at Sunderland right now is about Tom Cannon. But there’s now another name for Black Cats fans to keep an eye on as we move towards the final two weeks of the window.
The January transfer window actually shuts in February this time round, on the 3rd. But we’re already approaching the midway point of the window and it looks like the market will really start to pick up.
Sunderland have already completed the impressive loan signing of Enzo Le Fee from Roma. Meanwhile, the Sunderland are pushing to sign Tom Cannon with a reported £13million bid on the table.
That would see the Black Cats pay for Cannon next summer, in the event of promotion, much like the club’s deal for Le Fee. Sheffield United are also keen on Cannon and it’s claimed that the Blades are ready to cough up £7million for the Irishman.
Now though, Sunderland are being linked with another new name, and in a link that’s seemingly come out of the blue in this January transfer window.
Sunderland enquire about Rabbi Matondo at Rangers
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed on X that Sunderland and Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday have both ‘made enquiries’ for Rabbi Matondo. But O’Rourke also adds that an ‘unnamed European club’ have already struck a loan agreement for the Welsh winger.
Matondo, 24, rose through the ranks at Manchester City but made his name in Europe with FC Schalke. He spent time back in England on loan with Stoke City in 2021 and then joined Rangers on a permanent deal in 2022.
Last season, the left-sided winger scored five and assisted three more in 19 league games for the Gers. This time round he has two goals and two assists in six league games.
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Rabbi Matondo’s record for Wales
Some fans may have heard of Matondo through his appearances for national side Wales. The Liverpool-born player has 12 caps for his country but no goals to his name as of yet.
Matondo is also eligible to feature for England and DR Congo. He played for England at U15s level but then switched allegiances to Wales at U17s level. Matondo’s last appearance for Wales was early in 2024.
He’s played in the Championship beforehand with Stoke City. But his loan spell during the 2020/21 season wasn’t exactly fruitful with Matondo scoring once in 10 league games for the Potters.
In the following 2021/22 season on loan at Cercle Brugge, Matondo really burst into life with nine goals in 26 Belgian Pro League games, prompting a move to Ibrox that was worth a reported £2.5million.