Sunderland have been tipped to make a January move for this 21-year-old, regardless of who their next boss is.
Sunderland are searching for a new boss right now.
Jimmy Thelin is the latest name to be linked with the vacancy at the Stadium of Light, with reports saying that the 45-year-old Elfsborg boss has held talks with the club.
Mike Dodds looks set to take charge of his third and final game as interim boss this weekend with a trip to Bristol City on the cards.
A head coach appointment looks set to follow that game, and whoever the new boss is could have just three games in charge before the January window opens.
And his first signing could yet be a familiar face in Amad Diallo, who former boss Tony Mowbray described as a ‘magician’ last season.
Sunderland back in the race to sign Manchester United’s Amad Diallo
Diallo is a name etched into Sunderland folklore following his standout 2022/23 season on loan at the club.
He scored 14 goals in the Championship and helped fire the Black Cats to an unexpected top six finish, before returning to parent club Manchester United.
His summer was uncertain but an injury eventually kept him at Old Trafford where he’s yet to feature this season.
But the Ivorian is expected to be back soon and TEAMtalk sat that he’s expected to go out on loan next month, with Sunderland among a number of Championship teams keen.
The same report adds that Diallo is ‘likely to be a top target’ for Sunderland with the club set to turn their attentions to January signings as soon as they appoint a new boss.
Will this move finally happen?
Diallo returning to Sunderland has been talked about so much that it seems like it almost has to happen now.
Sunderland will know exactly what they’re getting with Diallo, though whether or not Mowbray’s exit plays a factor here remains to be seen.
Mowbray was very fond of Diallo and vice-versa, but with largely the same set of players and backroom team, Diallo could still favour a return to Wearside.
And it would be a fine signing too.
Sunderland are back on track now but they remain a team with few quality, goal-scoring options, barring the likes of Jack Clarke and maybe Patrick Roberts, though neither has been overly prolific of late.
Diallo’s return would give some added competition and depth in the attacking third, though it seems like a new no.9 is still needed at Sunderland next month.
If the club can name their next boss soon and keep this good form going into January, then Diallo arriving on loan could be very likely.