Sunderland are reportedly keen on a loan swoop for Barnsley and Hungary star Callum Styles.
Sunderland transfer rumours have been very few and far between this month, and actual transfer activity has been even scarcer.
The Blacks Cats are yet to make their first signing of the window and it couldn’t come soon enough with the club having lost their last three.
New boss Michael Beale is already under mounting pressure as 10th place Sunderland look to get themselves back into play-off contention.
And it seems like the Black Cats think Styles can help towards achieving that.
Callum Styles, the story so far
Born in Bury, Styles began his career with his home town club and spent two seasons at Gigg Lane before joining Barnsley in 2018.
Since then, Styles has racked up 151 total appearances for the Tykes, scoring 13 and assisting nine along the way, and establishing himself as one of the most versatile players in the Football League.
Styles has also become a Hungarian international having now received 18 caps for his country; he spent time on loan at Millwall last season, but injury limited him to just 22 appearances.
Earlier today, Sky Sports’ Keith Downie revealed that Sunderland have made their move to sign Styles on loan from Barnsley, with an obligation to buy in the summer.
Callum Styles player profile
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 23/03/2000
- Position: Midfielder/wing-back
- Club: Barnsley
- Former clubs: Bury, Millwall
- Nationality: English/Hungarian
- Contract: Until June 2025
Callum Styles, what they say
“We were just starting to see him have a good effect on the team before that in different positions – central midfield, a little wider and coming in and as a left wing-back. He’s a very versatile player. In the end he is probably going to end up a little more central, that is where he plays for his international team. He’s a really good player, a technically talented player, and he is a good character,” – Millwall boss Gary Rowett.
“I am really enjoying working with him. He’s an international player, so who wouldn’t enjoy working with a quality player. His energy levels and attitude has been just what we have needed and been good. You could go through the team and they have all been really important and I have been delighted with them. But it’s been really good to have Callum” – Barnsley boss Neill Collins.
Why Michael Beale will be desperate to seal Styles transfer
Sunderland and especially Beale need a boost right now, and new signings seems like the clear and obvious aim for the Black Cats.
Specifically, Beale has outlined his desire to bring in cover in the full-back department with names like Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins currently sidelined, whilst journalist Phil Smith has suggested that Sunderland need a new central midfielder to give more competition to the under-fire Pierre Ekwah.
So Styles would solve two issues in one go. He’s a player with Championship experience having featured 124 times in the second tier and having also reached the play-offs with Barnsley under former boss Valerien Ismael.
He remains young as well, so coming in and potentially making his stay permanent after the summer would be a very shrewd move for Sunderland, and for Styles too; his Barnsley side sit in 5th place of the League One table but face some heavy competition in the race for promotion.
All in all, Sunderland fans should be very excited by a potential swoop for Styles, though with others interested, it won’t be easy for the Black Cats.