Kristjaan Speakman set to sanction double Sunderland transfer move after Chris Rigg update – reports
The latest Sunderland-related transfer news from around the web during the final throes of the January window
Sunderland could be set for a double January exit, with reports suggesting movement around both Dan Neil and Arthur Masuaku as the transfer window enters its final week.
Neil will be a notable absentee from Sunderland’s squad ahead of the Premier League trip to West Ham, and reports suggest that omission has fuelled growing speculation over his future. With time running down in the window, reports indicate a move away from Wearside is edging closer, with Rangers understood to have moved ahead of rival suitors in the race for his signature. The Scottish side, managed by former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Röhl, are believed to be pushing hard to strengthen their midfield options.
Elsewhere, reports from France suggest Sunderland are also close to sanctioning a short-term departure for Arthur Masuaku, with RC Lens lining up a six-month loan move for the experienced left-back. Lens have enjoyed an outstanding first half of the season, embarking on a historic run of ten consecutive victories in all competitions and briefly holding top spot in Ligue 1 before Paris Saint-Germain’s latest result.
According to those reports, Masuaku has already agreed personal terms with Lens, while an agreement is also said to have been reached between the two clubs. The 32-year-old only joined Sunderland last summer on a free transfer from Besiktas, signing a two-year contract, but could now be set for a temporary return to France. Lens are understood to be moving to fill the void left by Deiver Machado, who departed for Nantes earlier in the window. Reports suggest Masuaku is fit and available to play immediately, having featured in his national side’s opening two fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations, and is viewed as a ready-made option for the second half of the campaign.
The left-back’s experience and leadership qualities – he is one of the captains of the Democratic Republic of Congo – are said to have been key factors behind Lens’ interest, with the deal viewed as a low-cost, low-risk addition as they look to sustain their momentum. Should both moves be completed, Sunderland would be facing two late exits in the window. Attention could then turn to potential replacements as the Black Cats look to balance their squad ahead of the season run-in.
In other news, Régis Le Bris has confirmed Sunderland are still keeping their options open over Chris Rigg’s immediate future, with a late loan move not ruled out as the January transfer window enters its final stages. The 18-year-old has yet to establish himself as a regular starter in his first season at Premier League level, but has still made 11 appearances across all competitions during the current campaign. Rigg featured for the club’s Under-21s earlier this week, completing 90 minutes in the defeat to Borussia Dortmund as Sunderland looked to maintain his match sharpness.
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With key midfield figures, including Habib Diarra, set to return from the Africa Cup of Nations, Sunderland are continuing to assess their options and how best to manage Rigg’s development over the second half of the season. While regular minutes elsewhere could provide valuable experience in the short term, there is also a belief that remaining on Wearside and training daily within an elite Premier League environment carries clear benefits for a player still at an early stage of his career.
Le Bris acknowledged that both pathways have their merits and stressed that no firm decision has yet been taken, with clarity expected closer to the end of the transfer window once the final shape of the squad becomes clearer. “Yeah, both options are interesting [loan or staying], and I repeat, we are working on every individual, and at the minute, we don't have a specific position, because we have to wait for the final set-up [of the squad], and at the end, we will make a decision,” Le Bris said.
Your next Sunderland read: Sunderland boss answers Chris Rigg loan question ahead of January transfer window conclusion