Sunderland want two more signings after Dame N'Doye, IF they can offload players

Sam Allardyce ideally wants another TWO signings before the end of the month, but that will depend on Sunderland's success in moving players on.
Dame N'DoyeDame N'Doye
Dame N'Doye

Sunderland are on the verge of confirming their second signing of the January transfer window, with striker Dame N’Doye putting the finishing touches to a four month loan deal from Turkish side Trabzonspor, which could be converted into a permanent switch at the end of the season.

If, as expected, ex-Hull man N’Doye arrives at the Stadium of Light, then Allardyce will have addressed his January priorities of a new centre-forward and centre-half.

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But the Sunderland manager remains on the look-out for another couple of additions, understood to include a right-back.

However, the Black Cats must shift some players out first, with the club’s wage bill already on the limits set by Premier League regulations.

Allardyce told the Echo: “I would like to get two more if I can.

“But I’m bordering on the generosity of the owner if I don’t get anybody out.

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“And also, I’ve got to be very aware of the wage scenario today with the regulations.

“It’s not just an open door anymore, so we have to be very mindful of the overall position of the club.”

Winger Will Buckley is expected to be one out of the door - with the ex-Brighton man close to joining Birmingham on loan - and Allardyce will continue his efforts to shift players on after this weekend’s trip to Spurs.

There are several who could leave the Stadium of Light, including fringe figures Danny Graham and Jordi Gomez, plus one of the three goalkeepers on the club’s books.

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If Sunderland received a tempting offer, Steven Fletcher is vulnerable with only six months remaining on his contract, while the Black Cats could also bring a premature end to the loan spells of Ola Toivonen and DeAndre Yedlin.

But Allardyce admits it is tough to offload players on a permanent basis.

“As is usual, it looks like there’s a lot of people coming in for loans, where they want you to help with the wages,” he said.

Allardyce is happy with the haste of Sunderland’s progress in the transfer market though, with N’Doye joining defender Jan Kirchhoff before the midway point of the window.

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“Yes, I’ll be very pleased to have two deals done,” he added.

“It’s a calculated risk; hoping they can hit the ground running.

“Dame has certainly done it before, whereas it’s Jan’s first-time here.

“It will be difficult, but hopefully he can master the physical demands of the Premier League because we know he’s got the technical talent and tactical awareness to prove he is a good player at this level.”