Sunderland’s promotion rivals Leeds United have reportedly clinched a deal for a player who Kristjaan Speakman was keen on signing this year.
Sunderland and Leeds United are well in the mix for promotion to the Premier League this season. Right now though, it’s Leeds are who leading the pack.
They sit in 1st place of the Championship table whereas the Black Cats are in 4th, seven points behind the leaders after Sunderland lost 1-0 at Stoke City last time out.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points |
| 1 | Leeds | 24 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 44 | 15 | 29 | 51 |
| 2 | Sheffield Utd | 24 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 33 | 14 | 19 | 49 |
| 3 | Burnley | 24 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 30 | 9 | 21 | 48 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 24 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 36 | 21 | 15 | 44 |
| 5 | Blackburn | 23 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 38 |
| 6 | Middlesbrough | 24 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 37 |
Regis Le Bris’ side look to be planning some January transfers as they vie to keep themselves in the top six come the end of the season.
Several names have been linked with Sunderland ahead of January including the likes of Aston Villa gem Louie Barry, as well as a handful of strikers including Celtic’s Daniel Cummings and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson.
Now though, one player who the Black Cats went as far as giving a trial earlier in the year is now set to join Leeds United.
Robbie Cook set to join Leeds United after Sunderland trial
During the summer, the Black Cats handed Perth Glory goalkeeper Robbie Cook a trial. But Kristjaan Speakman eventually signed Simon Moore instead.
Then earlier in December, it was revealed that Leeds United were set to sign Cook on a permanent deal during the January transfer window.
Now, Alan Nixon has confirmed on his Patreon that Leeds have ‘clinched a deal’ for Cook, revealing that Birmingham City made a late push to sign the 17-year-old goalkeeper.
Nixon reiterates that Cook was ‘courted by Sunderland’ earlier in the year.
Leeds United’s January transfer plans compared to Sunderland’s
Sunderland’s January transfer plans remain somewhat unclear. Le Bris has given different opinions on what his side might do, though with more and more players being linked, it looks like Sunderland will be active.
Leeds though could be less so. Despite them completing their first transfer deal before the window has even opened, boss Daniel Farke has suggested that his side will be quiet in the upcoming window.
That could give Sunderland an edge in the second half of the season; if Speakman can bring in some quality to put Sunderland on a level with the likes of Leeds, Sheffield United, and Burnley ahead of them.
The Black Cats kick start their 2025 with a game against the Blades at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day.