Will Sunderland look to spend in the January transfer window?

Sky Sports pundit Jamie O’Hara has backed Sunderland to delve back into the transfer market this January after their stellar start to the Premier League campaign.

The Black Cats are currently seventh in the table following a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, and after a hectic summer in which he spent more than £150 million on new signings, owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has hinted that he could be willing to invest even more if his side are in with a realistic chance of securing a top half finish.

During a recent appearance on Sky Sports, the Sunderland chief said: “I think the stats showed to us that unless you do something extraordinary you're likely going to go back to the Championship. For us, we didn't really set ourselves a budget in terms of the money we want to spend - we had an ambition to try and bring in the players we want and fortunately a lot of the deals we wanted to do we were able to conclude them, and as a result of that the spend in the end was big, but most importantly we got the players that we wanted.

“I would say definitely a little bit [that the great start could affect Sunderland’s approach in January] because obviously if we're in the bottom three by Christmas or we're in the top six by Christmas that changes the ambition a little bit. We're currently preparing for all scenarios but we've been doing that since the summer, so hopefully we'll be going into the January window with a top ten finish in mind and we will prepare and execute the transfer window to give us the best chance.”

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What has Jamie O’Hara said about Sunderland’s January transfer plans?

And for his part, O’Hara believes that a couple of shrewd signings next month could provide the Black Cats with a timely boost in their bid to establish themselves as a regular fixture of the top division.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, he said: “If he’s got the money to spend, why not? They brought in 15 players, and sometimes that can go against you, but credit to the manager, because he’s got them gelled, he’s got them playing - they’re strong, they’re physical, they’ve got decent players in the midfield. If he looks at it now and says, ‘Can I add one or two here and there to make a difference?’, absolutely, why not?

“Sunderland are a massive football club, and if you get it right... You’ve got to get over the first hurdle - that’s staying in the Premier League. If you can do that, then the next season, ‘Can we kick on again? Can we become a mid-table side?’. And then you become a bit like Brentford, where you’re a mainstay, you don’t go down. You’re a team that does well every single season.

“And I think Sunderland have got that in their locker. They’re a big club, decent ownership, brilliant fans, and they’ve got some good players. Add one or two, if you can - the right player - to come in and strengthen the side, to keep the momentum going, keep the squad fresh. They’ve done a great job, the manager deserves so much credit.”

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