The Sunderland transfer state of play explained - and the 11 deals that could still happen this month

It has been, perhaps unsurprisingly, a quiet January transfer window for Sunderland so far.

It's not a month in which they've ever done significant business, certainly not in terms of permanent acquisitions. Enzo Le Fée was the exception to an otherwise quiet month last time around, but even that deal was carefully structured to minimise the financial risk to the club in the long run and in the event that they did not win promotion.

This time around, they came into the window with the squad performing very well and with a determination to let the 14 players they recruited in the summer settle. It was always going to be and remains the case that only golden opportunities to improve the level of the squad would encourage them to act. The challenge being that players of that level are rarely available at good value this month, invariably too important to their current teams if they are playing regularly and well.

Sunderland may well still be active this month, and it is clear that a number of outgoings should be expected. Here, we take a closer look at all the deals that could still happen before the window closes on February 2nd...

Sunderland sign another holding midfielder

Though Lutsharel Geertruida performed very well over the course of AFCON and showed he can clearly be trusted in central midfield at this level, that he was playing that position to begin with showed there is a slight vulnerability in the squad at the moment. In theory Dan Neil would be the obvious understudy/alternative to Granit Xhaka, but his lack of game time this season and ongoing contract uncertainty mean there is no guarantee he will stay beyond the window and/or play regularly. While Habib Diarra will be fully in contention to start on a regular basis after the Africa Cup of Nations, Sunderland would ideally like to add another holding midfielder to their group so they can maintain the quality and consistency they have enjoyed in this part of the pitch through the first half of the season.

It's not a necessity, but if Sunderland were to strengthen in one position this month it's thought it would most likely be this one.

Sunderland reinforce in the wide areas

The other position where Sunderland will clearly look to strengthen is in the wide areas, and most probably on the right flank specifically. Bertrand Traoré has proven to be a very smart pick up from Ajax on deadline day, and has shown he can use his experience and quality to play an important part in the second half of the season. Behind him, however, there isn't a great deal of depth. Chemsdine Talbi has shown real promise so far but looks more comfortable off the left flank, where Sunderland also have a now fully-fit Romaine Mundle and Simon Adingra.

Another right winger could free Talbi up to move over more regularly and leave Le Bris with depth for the remainder of the campaign. The challenge will be finding a winger of the requisite quality who is also match fit and able to make a quick impact. If the Black Cats can't find the right player, they might opt to go with what they've got. Sunderland are currently assessing an injury to Traore on his return from AFCON, and that could be another factor in their eventual decision.

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Dan Neil departs - to Rangers or elsewhere

The AFCON period always looked set to be a defining period for Neil and Sunderland as he approached the final six months of his contract, and that he ends it with just a handful of minutes from the bench under his belt suggests a parting of the ways now feels inevitable. Whether it happens this month or in the summer remains to be seen. Rangers have registered an interest, but did conclude a multi-million pound deal for central midfielder Tochi Chukwuani over the weekend. What impact that has on their interest in Neil remains to be seen but the Scottish club could now agree a pre-contract deal.

Arthur Masuaku leaves

The experienced left back has struggled for regular minutes since joining as a free transfer in the summer, and Le Bris has already confirmed that he could depart in search of more regular football next month. Standard Liege are understood to be in talks over a potential move, though whether they can strike a deal that suits Sunderland remains to be seen.

Leo Hjelde leaves on loan

Hjelde returned to the squad over the festive period after undergoing major surgery on both achilles over the summer, but competition for places in defensive positions is fierce and he'll be keen to play regularly.

A loan move for Aji Alese is also a possibility this month, though perhaps slightly more unlikely. The defender is gradually stepping up his comeback from the major injury he suffered in January, and is back training but with the U21s for the time being. He's expected to get some game time with the U21s before being considered for the senior group. The same applies to Ahmed Abdullahi: he had been close to joining Ligue 1 side Angers in the summer before the move fell through. Ideally he'd go out on loan this month but his injury recovery will dictate that.

Sunderland sign a striker/Eliezer Mayenda leaves on loan

One that looks significantly less likely than it did a few weeks back. Brian Brobbey continues to make strides as he nears full match fitness, vindicating Sunderland's belief that he could be an excellent acquisition both in the short and long run. Mayenda, meanwhile, has played excellently over the last few weeks and has surely shown the head coach that he is worthy of more minutes moving forward. Sunderland are very aware that they need to keep investing and improving their forward options over the next few windows, but this is a notoriously difficult window in which to do that and they know that in Mayenda, they have a big talent who could develop into the striker they ultimately crave.

Senior trio depart

Timothée Pembélé and Jay Matete have both secured moves already this month, albeit with Pembélé going back out on loan. Ideally, Sunderland would also resolve the futures of Ian Poveda, Abdoullah Ba and Joe Anderson. Sunderland would prefer a permanent move, but would consider loan moves that would enable them to play regularly and rebuild match sharpness in the hope of encouraging suitors in the summer. Anderson has now entered the last six months of his contract, so could run down his deal and leave as a free agent in the summer.

Harrison Jones leaves on loan

The midfielder has made huge progress behind the scenes over the last 18 months but needs to be playing regularly at this stage of his career.

Four possible departures we think are probably unlikely

Like Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin's contractual situation means that Sunderland will have to consider any bids that come in but his excellent recent form surely will have all parties at the very least giving serious consideration to extending his stay with a new deal.

Anthony Patterson and Luke O'Nien are also struggling for regular minutes, but Sunderland need quality back up for Robin Roefs and so a review of the goalkeeping situation in the summer seems more likely. O'Nien's versatility and leadership also make him an important part of the squad even if at the moment his minutes have been limited, and his strong performance at Everton was a reminder of his ability. With the defender making clear he doesn't wish to leave, it would take a major turn of events between now and the end of the window for an exit to happen. And while some fans have wondered if a loan for Chris Rigg might be on the cards, Sunderland at this stage seem more likely to let him keep developing on Wearside for the time being. So exits can't be ruled out, but this window doesn't necessarily feel like the right time - Sunderland need depth if they are to maintain their impressive form.

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