Sunderland and Newcastle United hold one of the most bitter rivalries in English football. Next season, we may even be treated to a first league clash between the two since 2016.
January 2024 saw the first Tyne-Wear derby since 2016. It was an FA Cup clash between the two and it was a sold out crowd at the Stadium of Light. But Newcastle United beat Sunderland 3-0 in what proved to be a miserable season overall for the Black Cats.
After Sunderland drew 2-2 with Plymouth Argyle over the weekend, Regis Le Bris now finds his side sitting in 4th place of the Championship table and just three points behind the automatic promotion places, and five behind leaders Leeds United.
So far in January, Sunderland have signed Enzo Le Fee on loan from Roma. It’s inevitable that we’ll see more signings at the Stadium of Light, but the Black Cats could now be beaten to one of their emerging targets by Newcastle United.
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Newcastle United and Sunderland battling to sign Semih Kilicsoy
Recently, reports have linked Sunderland with a move for Besiktas forward Semih Kilicsoy. The 19-year-old burst on the scene in 2023/24 with 11 goals in 23 SuperLig appearances, although he’s scored just once in 19 league games for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side this time round.
Nevertheless, he remains a prospect, and Newcastle United would be willing to pay €19mmillion (£15.9million) to sign the teen striker before the February 3rd transfer deadline, per Turkish outlet Milliyet. Aston Villa and Ajax have also been linked in recent days.
Sunderland appear keen to land a striker before the winter window shuts. The likes of Westerlo’s Matija Frigan, Ajax’s Chuba Akpom and Preston’s Emil Riis have both been linked.
What Ole Gunnar Solskjaer really thinks about Semih Kilicsoy
Kilicsoy has certainly struggled in front of goal in 2024/25. But it’s clear that he remains a well-regarded player in European football with some top teams interested and a big price tag seemingly slapped on his head.
Appointed earlier in January, it didn’t take long for Solskjaer to see Kilicsoy’s potential, with the former Manchester United boss describing Kilicsoy as a ‘top-level’ player.
That may indicate Solskjaer’s intentions to keep the striker beyond this January transfer window – his contract expires in the summer of 2028.
Now though, with Newcastle reportedly ready to pay close to £16million, it may all but rule Sunderland out of a deal, unless some kind of loan-to-buy deal can be agreed although that seems ambitious still.