The Black Cats under owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and head of recruitment Stuart Harvey have prioritised young talented players that haven’t cost much in terms of transfer fees. That strategy has produced good results with Jack Clarke, Dennis Cirkin, Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Pierre Ekwah, Patrick Roberts and Jobe Bellingham now worth much more than they were when they first joined the club.
But Sunderland’s transfer strategy has left Michael Beale’s squad lacking in experience and goals with the four forwards brought to the club last summer failing – for the most part – to hit the ground running.
With that in mind, Sunderland have been linked with a mixture of youth and experience already this window and here, we take you through the deals Speakman has been linked with concluding so far:
9. Jay Stansfield
Reports have suggested that Fulham could recall loanee Jay Stansfield from his stint at Birmingham City with the Championship club struggling and it had also been said that Sunderland, who were interested in the striker during the summer, could be a potential destination. Photo: Cameron Smith
10. Mao Hosoya
Sunderland are taking a keen interest in Japanese international Mao Hosoya ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports. The 22-year-old is considered one of the brightest prospects in his homeland and has grown into a consistent goalscorer, bagging 17 goals in 41 games in all competitions for Kashiwa Reysol this year. Photo: Yasser Bakhsh
11. Benjamin Rollheiser
The Black Cats were said to be interested in the Argentine winger last summer with recent talk claiming that the Wearsiders remain keen this January. Reports this summer suggested that the 23-year-old was targetted by Sunderland in the final days of the last transfer window with suggestions a deal couldn’t be reached due to third-party ownership of the player. Rollheiser remained at Argentine club Estudiantes, where he has played regularly this season and according to a recent report in the Argentine newspaper Ole, Newcastle United are also following the player’s progress. Photo: Marcelo Endelli
12. Musa Drammeh
Sunderland have seen a bid rejected for Sevilla striker Musa Drammeh, according to reports. The Black Cats were said to be eyeing a deal for Drammeh and it was claimed that Sunderland have sent scouts to watch the attacker ahead of the winter window, which opens on the first day of the New Year. The 22-year-old has mostly featured for Sevilla's B team this campaign but is reportedly pushing for a first-team call-up. Drammeh is out of contract in the summer, which has alerted clubs to his potential availability. Fresh reports, though, state that a bid has rejected an offer from Sunderland for Drammeh and that scouts from the North East have been following his progress but he is considered an important player. and the intention is to keep the player at the club. Photo: George Wood