Signings seem to be the main focus for Sunderland going into the final days of the January transfer window. But player exits can’t be ruled out either, with one now looking very possible.
Sunderland are eyeing up a busy end to the January transfer window, and it’s probably needed if they’re to mount a serious push for promotion this season.
Whilst it’s looking good for the Black Cats right now, Regis Le Bris and co will know that the club probably needs a bit more depth and added quality in the race for promotion.
Sunderland are linked with several players ahead of deadline day on February 3rd. But there’s also a couple of potential player exits to keep an eye on, one being Jobe Bellingham.
Bellingham is wanted by Bayer Leverkusen but right now that possible move looks unlikely, with Sunderland wanting to keep their best stars. But an exit for Adil Aouchiche could be very likely.
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Portsmouth lining up bid for Sunderland’s Adil Aouchiche
It’s been a difficult season for the 22-year-old. Aouchiche wanted to leave Sunderland in the summer despite a reunion with his former Lorient boss Le Bris, with reports that Aouchiche was unhappy at the Stadium of Light.
The attacking midfielder was then frozen out of the side before being brought back in towards the end of 2024, following injuries to Romain Mundle and Tommy Watson on the left side of attack.
Aouchiche has featured eight times in the Championship this season but hasn’t featured in any of the last three, being an unused substitute in all of them. Now, Portsmouth News report that Championship strugglers Pompey are keen on making a late bid to sign the Frenchman on loan.
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What Regis Le Bris recently said about Adil Aouchiche’s Sunderland future
Speaking before Aaron Connolly moved to Millwall, Le Bris discussed Aouchiche’s situation at the club and what he thought the final weeks of the January transfer window may hold for his fellow Frenchman.
Le Bris told the press: “With Adil, it’s still open and it’s exactly the same case as Aaron [Connolly]. We want for both sides, Adil and the club, we want to open up different options and at the end we will decide what is the better option for the both.”
Now though, with Mundle and Watson thought to be back in the coming week or so, it shoves Aouchiche right back down the pecking order once again.
But a move to a Championship club will be good experience and it could give him the chance to impress Le Bris, or to put himself in the shop window ahead of the summer.