It does, however, remain to be seen how active the Black Cats will be in the market following their steady start to the season with Tony Mowbray’s men currently sitting in sixth place in the Championship.
The January transfer market, though, can be notoriously hard to do business in with clubs reluctant to sell their best players unless inflated prices are agreed upon.
With that in mind, we take a look at some of the best January transfer deals that Sunderland have been able to pull off in recent seasons:
9. Marcos Alonso
The left-back joined Sunderland in January 2014 under Gus Poyet and helped Sunderland reach Wembley and pull off the Great Escape from Premier League relegation. Photo: Jan Kruger
10. Lamine Kone
Sunderland signed the defender in the January of 2016 and his two goals against Everton to relegate Newcastle United are fondly remembered on Wearside. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
11. Phil Bardsley
In January 2008, Phill Bardsley joined Sunderland on a three-and-a-half-year contract in a deal worth an initial £850,000, potentially rising to £2 million. The defender remained with the club for a further six seasons. Photo: Michael Regan
12. Danny Batth
Danny Batth signed for Sunderland midway through their last campaign in League One and helped the club secure promotion. Photo: Frank Reid