Sunderland confirmed that they had recalled the Serbia youth international over the weekend

Sunderland have opted to recall Milan Aleksić from his loan at KS Cracovia, in a move that will pave the way for Arthur Masuaku to join RC Lens on a six-month loan deal.

Aleksić's return to Wearside raised some eyebrows when it was announced on Sunday afternoon, but the decision is not related to Sunderland's first-team plans for the rest of the campaign as such. Instead, it's related to a relatively little-known FIFA rule that Sunderland are navigating as they balance their squad in the final week of the window.

In order to combat elite clubs hoarding vast amounts of players, a rule was brought in whereby clubs can loan out a maximum of six players internationally at one time. When Sunderland sanctioned Timothée Pembélé's loan switch to Ligue 1 side Le Havre last week, they moved to that limit. As it stood then, their six international loans were: Pembélé at Le Havre, Aleksić at KS Cracovia, Jenson Seelt as VFL Wolfsburg, Adil Aouchiche at Aberdeen, Nazariy Rusyn at Arka Gdynia and Luis Hemir at Moreirense. While there are some exemptions to the rule for U21 players, Aleksić does not qualify as he has only been at the club for two years.

Masuaku's loan to RC Lens, which is now likely to be concluded at some stage over the next 24 hours, is seen as a very good outcome for all parties. Masuaku moves to a club in outstanding form and still firmly in the title race, while it clearly eases Sunderland's wage bill as they move on (albeit temporarily) a senior first-team player. Sunderland's challenge was in determining which player should be recalled to pave the way, and Aleksić's limited playing time in Poland thus far made him the likeliest candidate. He has made eight appearances and registered two assists, but was not a regular in the starting XI.

It does leave the Serbia youth international in a difficult spot for the rest of the campaign, as he has now played competitively for two clubs this season after playing against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup back in August. That means he cannot join another club in the rest of this window and with his chances of featuring in the first team relatively slim, he may have to rely on U21 football to maintain his match fitness. One of Sunderland's most significant acquisitions in the summer window of 2024, a departure later this year appears to be increasingly likely.

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What the decision means for the rest of the January transfer window

Aleksić's return does not impact Sunderland's January transfer plans in that the wide areas have always been one of the positions where the club was open to strengthening should the right option become available. That will remain the case in the final week before the deadline.

The loan rule could yet have some implications for Sunderland in the coming days, however, with a number of players still hoping to move in order to secure regular game time for the rest of the campaign. Abdoullah Ba and Ian Poveda are still at the club but will either have to move permanently abroad or on loan domestically. Dan Neil also cannot move on loan to Rangers as things stand, or to one of the Bundesliga clubs who have been interested in his signature. he would either have to move permanently or wait until the summer when his contract expires to make this switches, though there is also domestic interest from Sheffield United and from Ipswich Town.

Sunderland had also come into this window planning a loan move for Ahmed Abdullahi, but that would again as things stand be dependent on domestic interest materialising.

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