Sunderland deadline day RECAP: Cats complete double loan move, Will Grigg departs for Rotherham plus Jack Diamond joins Harrogate
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It brought the Black Cats’ summer arrivals upto nine, following the arrivals of Corry Evans, Callum Doyle, Alex Pritchard, Dennis Cirkin, Frederik Alves, Nathan Broadhead and Niall Huggins.
There were also a couple of departures on the final day of the window as Will Grigg and Jack Diamond left on loan.
Here’s how the day played out on Wearside.
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Sunderland AFC transfer deadline day RECAP
Key Events
- Sunderland have completed the signing of German winger Leon Dajaku on a season-long loan.
- Goalkeeper Ron-Thorbert Hoffman has also joined the club on loan.
- The transfer window will slam shut at 11pm tonight.
- Will Grigg has signed for Rotherham on loan
- Harrogate Town have re-signed Jack Diamond on loan.
Grigg nearing exit door
Will Grigg is said to be nearing the exit door.
The 30-year-old is understood to have agreed the framework of a three-year deal to join fellow League One side Doncaster Rovers, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
Grigg will join fellow Northern Ireland international and former Sunderland target Ethan Galbraith.
Union Berlin are set to sign Bayern Munich striker Leon Dajaku.
But the attacker will then be loaned straight back out to Sunderland.
That’s according to The Athletic.
Their website states: “The Black Cats have agreed a deal and have the option to sign him on permanently at the end of the season.
“The 20-year-old has been on the radar all month and the League One side have now agreed a deal and are about to announce his arrival.
“Dajaku made his Bundesliga debut for Stuttgart aged 17 and then moved to Bayern in July 2019.
“Sunderland boss Lee Johnson also considered a number of other strikers but decided that Dajaku was the top choice.
“Meanwhile, striker Will Grigg could leave the Stadium of Light as he seeks a move closer his family base in the Midlands.”
Jordan Henderson signs new Liverpool deal
Jordan Henderson has signed a new contract with Liverpool to commit his long-term future to the Reds.
The captain put pen to paper on the deal on Tuesday, ensuring his 10-year spell with the club will be prolonged.
Henderson told Liverpoolfc.com after inking the terms: “I’m obviously very honoured and proud to continue the journey I’ve already been on here.
“It’s amazing to finally get it done and just concentrate on looking forward and what the future may hold.
“I’m in a different place of course, as a player and as a person, from when I first walked in. I’ve learned and grown a lot over my time here, and I’ve got to thank a lot of people for that.
“I’ve loved every minute of it, even when I look back at the tough times, I was still enjoying being a part of this football club. The longer I can do that, the better for me really. I want to be here as long as possible, I’ve always said that.
“To continue this journey is incredible for me and my family, and I hope the fans and the club feel the same way.”
The situation with Ryan Alebiosu
The Black Cats are known to be in talks over a move for Arsenal full-back Ryan Alebiosu, 19, with reports over the weekend claiming discussions had reached an advanced stage.
Sunderland are also one of the clubs who have been looking at a loan move for Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison, yet talk has gone quiet on that one recently.
The 18-year-old is still expected to leave on loan before Tuesday’s deadline.
The latest on Dan Jebbison
Sunderland were one of several clubs interested in a loan move for Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison.
Reports over the weekend claimed Southampton were looking at a permanent move for the 18-year-old , who is a highly-rated prospect, yet according to Sky Sports the Saints are not trying to sign the teenager.
Cats set for potential cash boost as Nottingham Forest offer £3.8m for ex-striker
Nottingham Forest have reportedly offered to pay Ligue 1 outfit Bordeaux a fee of €4.5m for former Sunderland man Josh Maja.
That roughly equates to around £3.8m for the striker, who spent the back end of last season on loan at Fulham in the Premier League.
Forest are currently bottom of the Championship table after five games and are said to be keen to bring in a striker before Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
And according to French radio station RMC, Chris Hughton’s side have made a £3.8m offer for the 22-year-old.
Having sold Maja to Bordeaux midway through the 2018-19 season, Sunderland would be entitled to 10 percent of the profit should the player leave the French outfit.
That means the Black Cats could stand to pocket approximately £250,000 should Maja be sold to Forest for the reported £3.8m.
Elliot Embleton's brilliant gesture to lifelong Sunderland fan just days before Wycombe Wanderers clash
Three days prior to the League One clash, however, the 22-year-old County Durham-born attacking midfielder paid a special visit to an admirer.
Sunderland fan Malcolm Innerd, 75, had been in the ICU at Sunderland Royal Hospital for several weeks but was released on August 19.
A friend, though, spoke to Embleton, who generously agreed to pay Malcolm a get-well-soon visit to his home in Langley Park.
Speaking to The Echo, Malcolm’s son, Ian Innerd, revealed all about Embleton’s classy gesture to his father just days before the game against Wycombe Wanderers.
He said: “Dad was in ICU at Sunderland Royal Hospital for several weeks. He was released on the 19th of August and is a lifelong Sunderland fan.
“A mutual friend asked Elliot to come down and see him, to help cheer him up.
“He came down and spent an hour with my dad.
“It cheered my dad up no end and they talked about football and life generally.
“Dad was over the moon and was on cloud nine and told him to get on a goal on Saturday for him which he did.”
Writing on Facebook following the encounter, Ian added: “A very polite, humble, respectful young man that went out of his way.
“We can’t praise the young man enough. A star on and off the pitch. Absolute superstar. Thanks, Elliot.”
Embleton returned to Wearside at the beginning of the season following a successful loan stint with Blackpool and has cemented himself as a vital cog in Lee Johnson’s Sunderland team.
Two days ago, Elliot Embleton scored and assisted as Sunderland defeated Wycombe Wanderers 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.
The latest on Sunderland’s Jack Diamond
Sunderland’s Jack Diamond is wanted by Harrogate Town on loan before the transfer deadline passes tomorrow.
The 21-years-old spent time with Harrogate on loan two seasons ago and helped the club achieve promotion to League Two.
Simon Weaver’s side are believed to be leading the race for his signature at the moment but other fourth tier sides are interested.
Speaking earlier this month, Johnson said Diamond could depart the club on loan before the end of the transfer window.
Sunderland handed Diamond a three-year deal earlier this year, and believe the talented winger has the attributes to thrive in the top tiers in the long term.
But they are eager to ensure they protect his development and that could mean a loan spell.
“It’s something we’ve discussed with Jack,” Johnson said.
“We have talked about a loan.
“I’ve said many times that to properly develop a young player, they probably need 25 starts across a season.
“That’s no different to 90% of our players and especially the younger ones.
“We’ve had a lot of loan offers for Jack and clubs showing interest in a loan deal.”