xSunderland have been relatively quiet in the transfer window so far, with their interest in Kieffer Moore seemingly their only active pursuit as of late.
While the Black Cats had also been linked with the likes of Jay Stansfield and Luke Thomas, their chase for a new midfielder hadn’t looked very promising.
Michael Beale’s side are really lacking options in the middle of the park due to Corry Evans’ long-term injury, while Pierre Ekwah has been far from impressive in recent months.
There was concern that Sunderland wouldn’t look to improve that position in January, but the latest transfer update makes it clear that it is on their list of priorities.
According to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, Sunderland have ‘made a move’ to sign Barnsley’s Callum Styles.
He wrote: “The Black Cats looking to bolster their midfield & loan with summer obligation has been suggested for the Hungary international. Far from a done deal though.”
Styles will enter the final 12 months of his contract in the summer and has already attracted interest from the likes of Birmingham City and Hull, while Burnley and Sheffield United were also eager to bring the midfielder to the Premier League.
It’s unclear how much Sunderland would have to pay to sign Styles in the summer, but it was reported in the summer that he could cost around £2 million.
Who is Callum Styles?
Callum Styles joined Barnsley from Bury in 2018 for only £500,000 and has gone onto make 151 appearances – scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists.
After signing a new contract with The Tykes in 2022, the midfielder joined Championship club Millwall on a season-long loan.
Styles made 22 appearances in the second tier as The Lions narrowly missed out on the play-offs by a single point.
Despite being born in Bury, the ‘excellent’ 23-year-old was eligible to play for Ukraine and Hungary through his grandparents. Styles went onto make his debut for the Hungarian national team in March 2022 and has since earned 18 caps.
He enjoyed a memorable start in Hungary’s shock 4-0 win over England in the Nations League three months after making his debut, where he played alongside current Liverpool star Dominic Szoboszlai.
Styles has received praise from journalist Michael Graham, who wrote on X: Really nice left foot, can operate in tight spaces, good technique.”