Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, things are looking bleak once again for Sunderland and the fans in the Transfer Tavern are far from convinced that their club will be able to pull-off a great escape.
Winning just four of 22 matches, with their last win coming a month again, the Black Cats face a huge battle on their hands in the second-half of the season and David Moyes has found it difficult to shuffle his pack in the January window.
With funds limited and players reluctant to sign for a side that’s flirted with relegation consistently in recent years, Moyes is being left backed into a corner, but our landlord is confident that deals can be conclude by the club in the remaining days of the transfer window.
Due to the club’s financial restraints, sales may have to be made to provide funds for incoming deals but the fans in the bar have identified the pieces of business they want to see happen between now and the end of the month, bringing a fresh face to the Stadium of Light and pushing two players out the door…
Out: Patrick Van Aanholt
On the verge of reuniting with Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace, Patrick Van Aanholt’s imminent sale will raise much-needed funds for David Moyes and the Eagles, relegation rivals of Sunderland, will pay a figure that could rise to as much as £12m for the full-back.
The 26-year-old will be a big loss, as he’s played all but one of Sunderland’s Premier League matches this season, but the price the Black Cats will receive for his services should help soften the blow- especially if Moyes is smart with his signings.
Out: Sebastian Larsson
The veteran has been an important part of Sunderland’s side since returning from injury but the 31-year-old sees his contract expire at the end of the season and an exit could really help David Moyes tempt in a younger replacement.
An exit for Larsson would free up wages to spend on new recruits but it does come with a risk, as Sunderland are already low on midfielders as it is and they should probably line-up a replacement before approving the departure of the veteran Swede.
In: Phil Jagielka
Keen for first-team football that has not been forthcoming at Goodison Park this season, Phil Jagielka could leave Everton to reunite with David Moyes at Sunderland. The difficulty though will be persuading Jagielka to move to a club in such a precarious position.
The opportunity of regular first-team football for a player who turns 35 this summer may be too good to turn down though as he doesn’t have too many years ahead of him and a deal with Sunderland could give him a few more years.
