Sunderland are now in advanced talks with their potential first signing of the January window.
Sunderland main focus this month seems to have been new attackers, having already held talks with Bournemouth over a loan move for Kieffer Moore.
However, with no signings under their belt, the Black Cats now look to have begun targeting midfield reinforcements this week.
As well as interest in Lyon’s Skelly Alvero, Sunderland look closest to signing Barnsley’s Callum Styles.
Reports yesterday claimed that the Wearside outfit had submitted a loan offer with a obligation to buy the ‘excellent’ 23-year-old in the summer.
Styles was then left out of Barnsley’s squad for their win over Oxford United, before manager Neill Collins confirmed he was ‘in negotiations with another club‘.
The deal looks to be progressing even further now, with The Northern Echo reporting this morning that Sunderland had scheduled ‘further talks’ with The Tykes over the next 24 hours.
It is unclear how much Barnsley will demand for Styles, though Sunderland will have to be prepared to pay more than the long list of interested parties elsewhere.
The Hungary international has already been linked with a move to the Premier League with Burnley and Sheffield United, while the likes of Hull City, Birmingham and West Brom had all been monitoring him.
A second round of talks today suggests Sunderland could be closing in on a deal for Styles, while they will be eager to get a deal across the line before the Black Cats’ clash with Stoke City this weekend.
Is Callum Styles what Sunderland need?
Callum Styles looks like a good signing for Sunderland, who have been desperate to get some experience in their team.
The midfielder is only 23 and still has plenty of time to get even better, while he also has over 120 appearances in the Championship to his name.
Given the heavy interest in Styles over the years, he could be a very solid addition. However, he still isn’t the defensive midfielder that Sunderland have been crying out for.
Styles seems like the kind of player who would occupy Dan Neil or Pierre Ewkah’s best position, and that definitely isn’t what we need right now.
If we are going to bring in a number six as well then I will have no complaints with the Barnsley star’s arrival, but for now, it’s not ideal.