Sunderland have been told to not pursue a deal for an attacker in hot form this January.
With the January transfer window set to get underway in just a week, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris will certainly be aware of the ranks that he wants to bolster in the coming month.
Sunderland currently find themselves lacking squad depth in some key areas, and it could be made that much more difficult to assemble a promotion-gunning squad if their key players get snapped up by the Premier League and European sides currently sniffing around for the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.
In attack, options are on the lighter side due to the current injuries dealt to Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson, which has left Le Bris with the only option of utilising Eliezer Mayenda in his somewhat unfamiliar role on the left flank for the Black Cats.
This area, however, could potentially be helped with the signing of one January transfer target that Sunderland could go for, however, they have been told one reason why they should consider looking elsewhere.
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Michael Graham tells Sunderland to look elsewhere in current pursuit for Louie Barry
Sunderland target Louie Barry is now available for a loan move following the announcement that he is set to be recalled by Aston Villa from his current loan spell at League One side Stockport County.
With 14 goals from left-wing in a high-flying League One side, there don’t seem to be many drawbacks in looking at signing the 21-year-old Englishman, however, Michael Graham has suggested one clear reason why Sunderland should not look at the youngster.
Per X, Graham said: “Going to be a scramble for this lad. Not really sure Sunderland should be involved given we have two young players of our own in that position to develop.”
Sunderland can still develop top prospects alongside Louie Barry but the balance must be correct
Whilst Graham’s suggestion that there will be less emphasis on developing the current players in the academy is somewhat true, there is no reason why Sunderland can attempt to achieve success with both.
Whilst Barry is still just 21-years-old, his experience across the past two years makes him play way beyond his years, and that will no doubt aid the development of his competitors, such as Watson.
Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman have also ensured that resources are in place to prioritise the development of youngsters, whether they are in the first team or in the current academy set-up, and it would be fair to suggest that one extra addition wouldn’t upset the balance that the Black Cats currently have in place, especially when his arrival would be so important due to the current lack of squad depth.