Transfer deadline day is just as much about the moves that don’t happen as it is the deals that do go through, and Jewison Bennette is a victim of the former.
Sunderland had a hectic, rollercoaster ride of a deadline day, with rumours surrounding the club going back and forth all day.
From Tommy Watson’s failed move to Brighton, to Jayden Danns seemingly signing on loan from Liverpool despite not being announced yet, the Black Cats had a lot going on. And that’s without mentioning the fact they played out a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough on the night, too.
For one man, deadline day ended in bitter disappointment, with Jewison Bennette failing to secure a transfer away from Wearside — and here’s why.
Charlton Athletic ran out of time to get Jewison Bennette deal done
As the clocked ticked on deadline day, it was suggested Bennette would leave the club on loan, with unnamed League One clubs mooted.
But, as per reporter Nick Barnes on Twitter/X, when the deadline passed at 11pm, Bennette found that his exit collapsed, with Charlton Athletic the proposed destination before time ran out on the negotiations.
Barnes wrote: “That’s a wrap for Sunderland. A deal for Jewison Bennette to go to Charlton couldn’t be concluded on time.”
It was hoped Bennette could have linked up with former Sunderland chiefs Charlie Methven and Jim Rodwell, but that will not be happening now.
Jewison Bennette will be out in the cold at Sunderland for the foreseeable
There is still a shred of hope for Bennette to seal an exit this month, with a handful of other leagues having a slightly later transfer deadline. The Netherlands and Turkey could well be two options the winger pursues in the coming days.
Sadly, though, the more likely outcome is that Bennette remains a part of the Sunderland squad, and will have to spend the rest of the season with the Under-21 side.
Regis Le Bris has used Bennette just once this season, giving him nine minutes in the Carabao Cup defeat to Preston North End. With fitness and form issues, and both Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle on the way back from injury, that shows no signs of changing.
Bennette’s current contract is set to keep him at the Stadium of Light until June 2026, but one would assume he will be straight out of the door at the end of this season.