The Black Cats have approached one Champions League talent, who they may have to battle Burnley for.
Sunderland in recent days have certainly upped their urgency as they look to bring in attackers before the January transfer window comes to its conclusion.
With previous links in the window to the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz and Tom Cannon not coming into fruition, with both players joining Championship promotion candidates Sheffield United, Sunderland are still very much in the market for a striker.
The likes of Chuba Akpom, as well as Willem Geubbels have been linked with a move to Wearside, and a third ambitious name has been now reportedly linked to Sunderland as Deadline Day nears.
Sunderland set to rival Burnley for Sporting Lisbon winger Marcus Edwards
The Black Cats are increasingly likely to bring in a winger, due to the imminent departure of Adil Aouchiche to Portsmouth, and a striker this window, and now Sunderland have been linked with a player that can play both.
Per Portuguese sport outlet Record, Sunderland are reportedly looking at a deal for Sporting Lisbon talent Marcus Edwards.
Sunderland are set to battle with Burnley for the 26-year-old Englishman, who has Champions League from this season, and more notably the 2022/23 campaign, where he notched four goal contributions in six, including a goal against his former side Tottenham Hotspur.
Edwards’ previous two seasons at Sporting Lisbon had seen him become a quintessential member of the Portuguese side, bagging 11 goals and 14 assists in 59 league appearances, but has since fallen out of favour, having managed a total of just 106 minutes this season.
Marcus Edwards signing will see Kristjaan Speakman double down on Black Cats ambition
Sunderland, at the start of the January transfer window, certainly piqued the interests of many with the loan signing of Enzo Le Fee from AS Roma.
The Frenchman’s arrival showed a clear ambition by the way of Kristjaan Speakman, who clearly wants to back Regis Le Bris this season, and Sunderland’s Director of Football will be able to double-down on this with a move for Edwards.
The English winger, who was once, per Sky Sports, likened to Lionel Messi by former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino, has shown previously to have qualities that wouldn’t look out of place in the Premier League, and because of his lack of game time this season, there is no doubt that Edwards would relish a return to England.