The January transfer window is just over a week old - while Sunderland have already been linked with several players.
Black Cats boss Michael Beale has admitted he doesn't expect significant changes but said last week the club are actively looking to make additions this month. Following recent speculation, we’ve put together a possible Sunderland starting XI and bench if the rumours turn out to be true:
![Sunderland have been credited with interest in Ukrainian international Bogdan Mykhaylichenko, who has fallen out of favour at Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. According to Croatian newspaper Rijeka Danas, a number of clubs are tracking the 26-year-old’s situation.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmUzOWUzODJkLTQ2YzktNDcxZC1iMjE1LTllNzY1YTVhMzg0MjpmOWQ4YzdkMC1lMjE4LTRkMjMtYjZjNC1jN2VmOGQ4MTFjMGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. LB: Bogdan Mykhailichenko
Sunderland have been credited with interest in Ukrainian international Bogdan Mykhaylichenko, who has fallen out of favour at Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. According to Croatian newspaper Rijeka Danas, a number of clubs are tracking the 26-year-old’s situation. Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN
![Another Sunderland academy graduate who has been hugely important this season. Multiple Premier League clubs are thought to be tracking the 22-year-old midfielder, who has a contract on Wearside until 2026.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjNkODc3NjlkLTAzZTMtNDRhNS1hYTNlLTQ5YzliNjE4NWU2MTpkOTY5NTkxNS01NWUwLTQ1ZGMtOGI0NS04NzA3YTk1ZDNhMzE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. CM: Dan Neil
Another Sunderland academy graduate who has been hugely important this season. Multiple Premier League clubs are thought to be tracking the 22-year-old midfielder, who has a contract on Wearside until 2026. Photo: Frank Reid
![There was also interest in Ekwah over the summer, yet Sunderland were not willing to let the 21-year-old leave. The Frenchman has a contract with the Black Cats until 2027.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjlkZGUwMDExLWNiNGMtNDIwMy1iZTI4LTI5OWY4OTM4ZGJkMjpjZjYwNzA2NC1mNjdjLTRkMjctOWNkOS1jMTgxMjM0ZDM0ZTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. CM: Pierre Ekwah
There was also interest in Ekwah over the summer, yet Sunderland were not willing to let the 21-year-old leave. The Frenchman has a contract with the Black Cats until 2027. Photo: Frank Reid
![At the end of last year the Sun reported Sunderland’s head of recruitment Stuart Harvey was in South America to watch Rodriguez. The 20-year-old plays for Uruguayan club Liverpool Montevideo, where he has operated as a striker and as a wide forward.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjdiMzcyOTdmLWI1YTktNGRjMS1iMGM5LTQ4NTIxYjNkZDZlMzo3ZDNhMmU4OS1hMjk2LTRiODctODgxYS02MDE2ZDcwNzk1YTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. RW: Luciano Rodriguez
At the end of last year the Sun reported Sunderland’s head of recruitment Stuart Harvey was in South America to watch Rodriguez. The 20-year-old plays for Uruguayan club Liverpool Montevideo, where he has operated as a striker and as a wide forward. Photo: ALEJANDRO PAGNI