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:
13. Amad
The 21-year-old impressed on loan at Sunderland last season, scoring 14 Championship goals, while the Black Cats were one of several clubs keeping an eye on the player's situation over the summer. That was before Amad sustained a lengthy knee injury in pre-season, which caused him to miss the first half of the campaign. Amad made his return to Erik ten Hag's squad to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League earlier this month and was named on the bench. The attacking midfielder was brought on as a second-half substitute but could do nothing to prevent his side from slipping to a 2-1 loss. The attacking midfielder, though, has been mentioned with a move to Birmingham City, Sunderland and Leicester City. Photo: Ash Donelon
14. Fabio Jalo
Barnsley youngster Fabio Jalo has reportedly agreed a deal to keep him at the club despite interest from Championship and Premier League clubs. Sunderland were among several clubs linked with the 18-year-old wonderkid ahead of the January transfer window alongside Brighton, Everton and Fulham who are also said to be keeping an eye on the youngster ahead of the winter window. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo
15. Ali Al-Hamadi
AFC Wimbledon could sell Ali Al-Hamadi for just £1.5 million amid transfer interest from Sunderland and Leeds United, according to reports. Hull City, Cardiff City, Bristol City and Stoke City are also reportedly interested in the AFC Wimbledon youngster Sunderland also believed to have sent scouts to watch the forward with several other clubs interested in the 21-year-old attacker. EFL outfits Barnsley, Peterborough United and Coventry City were all linked with a summer move for Al Hamadi, who has played nine times for Iraq at international level, scoring twice for his country. Photo: Pete Norton
16. Luciano Rodriguez
According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, Sunderland’s head of recruitment Stuart Harvey was in South America last year to watch Rodriguez, even though the forward looks like an ambitious target for the Black Cats. Reports in Spain have even suggested La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have been watching the forward this year, while the player is said to be keen on a move to Europe. Photo: ALEJANDRO PAGNI