Sunderland transfer news: Chemsdine Talbi transfer latest as Alan Browne contract demand revealed

Sunderland’s transfer business remains a talking point despite the closure of the English window, with fresh claims emerging around several players.

New details have been reported concerning two potential departures that failed to materialise, while another Black Cats player could still leave Wearside. Here is the latest transfer round-up.

Sunderland seek Joe Cowan loan move

Sunderland will attempt to find a suitable loan move for Cowan, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

The Black Cats believe the academy goalkeeper has reached the stage of his development where he would benefit from regular senior football in the EFL. Cowan is already established as Sunderland Under-21s’ first-choice goalkeeper and recently committed his future to the club by signing a new three-year deal.

Sunderland have regularly used loans to test their young goalkeepers in competitive senior football. Anthony Patterson spent time with Notts County before establishing himself in the Black Cats’ first team, while Matty Young and Adam Richardson have also gained experience away from Wearside.

Any move for Cowan would now have to comply with the relevant emergency or goalkeeper loan regulations following the closure of the standard EFL transfer window.

The club’s priority will be finding a destination where the teenager has a realistic chance of playing regularly rather than simply providing cover.

Why Alan Browne’s Preston return collapsed

Nixon has also reported that Browne’s proposed return to Preston fell through because the midfielder wanted a three-year contract.

North End pursued their former captain throughout the summer, but Sunderland only became willing to sanction his departure during the closing days of the window.

Preston offered Browne a two-year agreement at Deepdale on strong financial terms. The 31-year-old wanted the security of a longer deal and the two parties were unable to reach an agreement before the deadline.

Browne spent more than a decade with Preston after joining from Cork City in 2014, making more than 400 appearances and becoming club captain. He left Deepdale to join Sunderland on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

The Republic of Ireland international helped the Black Cats win promotion before spending last season on loan at Middlesbrough. He remains under contract at Sunderland until the end of the current campaign after the failure of his proposed move back to Lancashire.

Chemsdine Talbi transfer talks continue

Talbi’s future also remains unresolved after the winger was left out of Sunderland’s squad for Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Brentford. The Morocco international was omitted from the club’s Europa League squad while talks over a potential departure continued.

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Sunderland did not want to include Talbi and risk losing that place on their European list if he subsequently left. Premier League clubs can no longer register new signings from elsewhere, but Sunderland can still sell Talbi to a club in a country where the transfer window remains open. Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have been linked with the 21-year-old, while Turkish interest was also reported before that country’s window closed. No deal has yet been confirmed.

Asked after the Brentford game whether Talbi’s absence was linked to the possibility of a transfer, Le Bris confirmed Sunderland had decided not to take any risks with the winger. “Yes. For Chemsdine, a move remains possible, so we decided to avoid unnecessary risks,” the Sunderland head coach said.

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