Sunderland have finally discovered the fate of one of their key January transfer targets.
Michael Beale looks as though he’s closing in on his first signing as Sunderland boss, with reports claiming that Barnsley and Hungary wing-back Callum Styles is poised for a move to the Stadium of Light.
He’d also become the first signing of what’s been a very quiet January transfer window for the Black Cats, who’ve lost their last three matches and dropped down into 10th place of the table.
The mood among fans isn’t great right now. A few new signings though could really lift the fanbase and the potential return of Amad Diallo would certainly help to do that.
Beale has said himself that he’d love to see the Manchester United man return after his positive loan spell at the club under Tony Mowbray last season.
But that won’t be the case.
Manchester United to keep Amad Dallo at Old Trafford
Diallo, 21, has been linked with a loan exit this month. Sunderland are just one of the teams said to be keen on regaining his services, but an emerging report from Manchester Evening News has revealed that the Red Devils have now decided to keep the Ivorian at the club this month.
After netting 14 goals and claiming three assists in 39 Championship outings for Sunderland last season, Diallo returned to United in the summer where he looked set to challenge for a spot in Erik ten Hag’s first-team.
But injury curtailed those plans. Diallo missed the entire first half of the season before making his return as a substitute in the 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest last month, and with Jadon Sancho now back at Borussia Dortmund and Anthony Martial facing a contested month, Diallo looks as though he could finally be in store for game time at Old Trafford.
Sunderland finally moving on
With Diallo now set for a run of games at Manchester United, Sunderland fans will fully expect him to impress and quickly become a first-teamer at United.
And that could end any future hope of seeing Diallo in a Sunderland shirt.
So for Beale and co, it’s time to move on and find other targets, with a new attacking addition still looking like a priority.
Whilst Styles can play in a more advanced position on the wing, it looks like he’ll come in at left wing-back given current injuries to Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins, whilst a new striker remains a different priority in itself.
Sunderland have certainly given themselves plenty of work to do in the final week of the window, and with fans unsettled by the early signs of Beale, a lack of transfer activity could set the club up for a torrid second half of the season.