Sunderland, Tottenham and Aston Villa linked with £50m-rated attacker amid January speculation – transfer gossip
Sunderland were reportedly sounded out over a potential January move for a £50m winger
Sunderland are unlikely to be involved in any move for Moussa Diaby this month, with reports suggesting the former Aston Villa winger is instead closing in on a switch to Inter Milan.
According to TEAMtalk, Diaby had been offered to a number of Premier League clubs by intermediaries as the possibility of a January return to England was explored. Sunderland were among the sides contacted, alongside Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and West Ham United, as interest was sounded out across the division.
Diaby joined Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad in July 2024 for a reported fee of around £50 million, departing Aston Villa after just one season. The 26-year-old French winger signed a lucrative five-year contract with the club, teaming up with Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté
From a Sunderland perspective, any link remained at a very early stage. While Diaby’s pedigree and Premier League experience naturally made his availability an intriguing one, there was no progression towards a deal. Reports indicate that the financial and tax implications of a mid-season return from Saudi Arabia quickly became a decisive obstacle. Players moving back to England before completing a two-year period abroad can face a significant tax hit – an issue that has already been highlighted in recent weeks by the situation involving Ivan Toney.
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Once Diaby and his representatives became aware of the scale of that impact, attention reportedly shifted away from the Premier League. European options were prioritised instead, with Inter Milan now emerging as the frontrunners to secure his signature. That development effectively removed Sunderland from the equation. While the Black Cats continue to monitor attacking options, the structure and cost of a deal for Diaby was never considered a realistic fit within the club’s January approach, particularly given the wider financial complexities involved.
What other transfer news is there?
Sunderland have been linked with a possible double transfer move as fresh reports connect the Black Cats with attacking and defensive targets across Europe during the latter stages of the January window.
One of those links centres on Paris FC winger Ilan Kebbal, with reports suggesting Ipswich Town are preparing a sizeable bid for the Sunderland-linked forward. The 27-year-old had been placed on Sunderland’s radar earlier this month, with claims that Régis Le Bris’ side were among several Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on his situation.
While Ipswich pursue Kebbal, Sunderland have also been linked with defensive reinforcements following Arthur Masuaku’s departure earlier this window. Reports suggest the Black Cats are among the clubs tracking Lecce left-back Antonino Gallo, alongside Celtic. The 26-year-old has been a consistent performer in Serie A and has built an impressive body of work since joining Lecce from Virtus Francavilla in 2020. Gallo has made 175 first-team appearances, contributing one goal and 10 assists, and is viewed as a reliable option on the left side of defence.