The January transfer window is now over. But that’s not stopping Sunderland from looking towards the summer with new names already appearing on their radar.
Sunderland’s January transfer window proved to be a mixed one in the end: although Enzo Le Fee arriving on loan and Wilson Isidor joining permanently are huge signings, more was needed.
Another striker was needed and whilst the Black Cats landed one in Jayden Danns, he’s not yet fit, and there’s no date set for his return so it feels like the Black Cats haven’t signed another striker at all.
Still, Regis Le Bris has the club in a fantastic position in the Championship table despite a disappointing 2-2 draw against Watford in their last outing, with Sunderland sitting in 4th place right now.
Up next is a tricky home game against Luton Town. Whilst all focus is on the games ahead, there’s still some attentions on the summer, with a new name linked in Tommy Doyle.
Sunderland want to sign Wolves star Tommy Doyle
Doyle, 23, is a product of the Manchester City academy. But he left to join Wolves on a permanent deal last summer with the Midlands club paying City £4.3million for his services.
So far this season, the Englishman has featured 19 times in the Premier League, grabbing himself one assist in what’s been a very tough overall campaign for his side so far.
Recent reports say that Sunderland want to sign Doyle in the summer but that it would take a big bid to land the midfielder, who plays centrally; either in the no.6 role or further forward.
In fact, Football Transfers compare his skillset to that of Amad Diallo who shone on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United in 2022/23, and also to Dan Neil, meaning Doyle could be the perfect Diallo/Neil hybrid which certainly makes for exciting reading.
Since Diallo left the Stadium of Light, Sunderland have at times lacked that bit of star quality in the final third, especially form attacking midfield players. What’s more is that Neil is out of contract in 2026 and so the Black Cats may need to start thinking about a possible replacement there.
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Gary O’Neil full of praise for Tommy Doyle at Wolves
Although Doyle’s numbers this season aren’t so impressive, he has been playing a key role for Wolves since his arrival in 2023, highlighted by former manager Gary O’Neil’s assessment of the player.
Speaking after a win over Bournemouth during the 2022/23 campaign when Doyle was initially on loan from City, O’Neil said of the midfielder: “The sub that I have got to credit; Tommy Doyle because once we brought him on, he brought us some unbelievable quality with his passing and we managed to maximise this four vs three in this instance.”
Firepower off the bench is maybe something that Sunderland don’t have as much of compared to a team like Leeds United. In seasons ahead, Sunderland will want to ensure they have star quality not just in the XI but on the bench too.
Doyle certainly seems like a player with quality and potential yet, but signing him in the summer could prove very challenging.