Sunderland close in on deal for Phil Parkinson's long-standing Bristol City transfer target

Sunderland are hopeful of concluding a deal for Antoine Semenyo on deadline day.
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The Black Cats have a long-standing interest in the 19-year-old, who Bristol City are open to loaning out until the end of the season.

Phil Parkinson confirmed his interest in the forward at the end of December, but has had to be patient in his pursuit.

“He is a player we have looked at,” he said.

Bristol City youngster Antoine SemenyoBristol City youngster Antoine Semenyo
Bristol City youngster Antoine Semenyo
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“He has pace and power, and he’s someone we have been monitoring.”

Sunderland offered terms acceptable to Bristol City, but manager Lee Johnson and his club were unwilling to sanction the departure until they secured a replacement of their own.

They then suffered a major setback when Arsenal decided to keep Eddie Nketiah, rather than loaning him back out the Championship.

Johnson has since seemingly had a breakthrough in his striker search, with Burnley’s Nahki Wells on the brink of making the switch.

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Sunderland hope to wrap up the loan on Thursday in what will be a significant boost for Parkinson.

He remains keen on adding a left wing-back to his squad, with Laurens De Bock still not replaced following his return to Leeds United at the start of the window.

He said on Monday that a potential deal for one target had been reached early in the window, but the player’s inability to reach agreement on terms of a new contract with the parent club had delayed it.

He has other options, including Swansea City’s Declan John.