Sunderland AFC transfer news: Black Cats conclude signing, Denver Hume departs, Jermain Defoe latest, left-back hunt update
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Sunderland beat Portsmouth 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and face Bolton away from home this weekend.
And the Black Cats are expected to be busy in the final week of the transfer window.
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Hide AdThe Wearsiders completed the signing of centre-back Danny Batth on an 18-month deal from Stoke City last week, despite interest from other clubs.
Sunderland also completed the transfer of Patrick Roberts on a permanent deal from Manchester City on an initial six-month contract, with a club option of a further year at the end of the season.
Keep up to speed with all of today’s transfer news by following our live blog:
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RECAP: Sunderland AFC transfer news (January 28)
Key Events
- The January transfer window will close on Monday.
- Sunderland completed the signing of Jack Clark on loan from Tottenham this week.
- Lee Johnson spoke to the media this morning ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bolton.
- Jermain Defoe has been in talks with the Black Cats.
Johnson on Lee Burge
“He has still got an issue. He’s got a slightly sort of an inflamed heart, it seems to happen a lot after Covid.
“He is going to be four or five weeks where he has to keep his heart rate below 100 beats per minute and then have a blood test to make sure his heart is fully back to normal.”
“He should make a full recovery, that’s what we’re expecting.”
Johnson on Defoe
“At the moment there is no update on that one. Obviously talks have been ongoing in the background as we know.
At the same time, sat here today, I’d be giving you duff information.”
Johnson on transfers
“It’s looking good and I’m very pleased with the business that we’ve done - I think everyone has done a great job.
“We are still in the mix and I’d be more than happy if this was all we had, but at the same time I think there are a couple of options and positions that we could do with bolstering.”
Bolton boss on SAFC test
Here’s what Bolton boss Ian Evatt had to say about Sunderland ahead of this weekend’s match.
Bolton have recorded back-to-back wins over Ipswich and Shrewsbury, and Evatt is hopeful his side can continue their momentum.
“Sunderland, for me, are the best footballing team in the league. I think it will be a good challenge,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a really good game. Of the teams at the top, they’re the team I like the most – the way the play.
“I’m looking forward to a technical and tactical battle. We have to make sure we’re at the top of our game because they’re a very good team.”
What about Ali Koiki?
Another name that has been mentioned is that of Northampton left-back Ali Koiki.
Sunderland have been tracking the 22-year-old and now appear a little light in the left-back position following Denver Hume’s move to Portsmouth.
To find out more, we caught up with Northampton reporter James Heneghan from our sister title The Northampton Chronicle.
Here’s what he said when asked about Koiki’s situation@
“There has been interest in Ali Koiki from a few clubs this month but as of last week Northampton had not received anything concrete.
“His contract expires in the summer but the club do have an option to extend it for another year, which they will almost certainly trigger, either to get more money or to keep him longer.
“He’s become an important player this season after joining as a free agent but every player has his price and I expect they would sell for the right fee.”
Read more HERE
What’s the latest with Jermain Defoe?
We should get a further update on Defoe when Johnson speaks to the media this morning.
The Black Cats boss said last week that he’s been in contact with the striker, saying “we are working very hard to try and bring Jermain in.”
Defoe is known to have multiple options, with Oxford and Charlton believed to be interested.
Sunderland’s priority before Monday’s transfer deadline is to sign another striker.
Good Morning!
Hello and welcome to our SAFC live blog.
Black Cats boss Lee Johnson is set to hold his pre-match press conference at 9:15am today ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bolton.
We’ll have live updates right here, including the latest news and transfer talk on Wearside.
Stick around and refresh the page for live updates.