Sunderland are looking to strengthen their promotion prospects in the January transfer window
The January transfer market is now open, and speculation about Sunderland’s plans has already begun.
Here, we look at what sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has previously said about the window, as well as what fans might expect as a result…
INCOMINGS
Given the club’s continuous troubles this season, Kristjaan Speakman was questioned at Michael Beale’s unveiling as head coach late last month whether money will be made available in the January transfer window to hire a new striker.
What he said…
“We certainly want to convert some of our dominance into more goals, and if you look at the team that Michael took at Rangers you are talking about a high-possession team that had to break down teams that played a low block, so there are a lot of similarities in terms of some of the more recent teams Michael’s teams have played against,” Speakman said.
In terms of the transfer window, the club has always invested in the near term, but also in the medium and long term, to attempt to increase the quality.
“We’ll continue to approach that, and we have been on with that piece of work since the [summer] transfer window closed and that will run alongside everything we have done in recent weeks.”
What it means…
Improving Sunderland’s attacking performance has been a key focus in the recruitment process involving Beale. Part of Beale’s mandate is to enhance the existing players’ capabilities. Beale himself has mentioned having ideas to implement during extended training sessions, suggesting a belief that his team tends to overplay in the final third.
Although Nazariy Rusyn’s goal against Preston is a positive development earning him potential regular game time, Sunderland is actively seeking reinforcement in forward positions. They are likely to adhere to their strategy of acquiring players with potential resale value from undervalued markets. Therefore, any permanent signings are expected to follow this pattern. Additionally, they might explore reshuffling their loan options, with Jay Stansfield, a previous target, being linked to a potential move last week. However, this move could be influenced by the future of Mason Burstow, who might face a recall by Chelsea due to his limited playing time. A complication arises as Burstow has already played for two clubs this season, restricting his eligibility for another loan.
Speakman’s statements indicate that Sunderland fans should anticipate more signings in line with their recent transfer strategies. The club prioritizes long-term planning, aiming to acquire assets for the future, despite the challenging nature of the January market. Sunderland had pursued wide players until the end of the summer transfer window, indicating that this area might be reconsidered for reinforcement, among others.
OUTGOINGS
Speakman was also asked if the club’s interest in Jack Clarke will pose a tricky conundrum in the January transfer window.
What he said…
“I don’t think it’s a difficult conundrum,” remarked Speakman.
“I’m not sure who said ‘the model,’ but I think it was me, and if it was, I should probably check myself because that has come back every [time].” It’s simply a matter of having a well-organized organization in your football team. Selling the player’s portion is a byproduct of success, and it should be based on the club’s decision in partnership with the athlete at the time. Over the last few years, the football club has turned down numerous bids on numerous players, and we have only sold one player.
“I feel it is a slight misrepresentation around the direction of travel and what the objective of the club is because if we were a selling club, we would have made loads of sales – and we haven’t. When players do really, really, well and they attract the attention of the Premier League outfits then naturally that is going to be a difficult moment.
“But our ownership has been rock-solid around that and I don’t think we will be looking to trade players when we have that opportunity to get promoted.”
What it means…
Speakman has been trying in recent times to challenge the view that Sunderland are a ‘selling club’, stressing how rarely they have let their best players go and how many bids they have knocked back.
The inference is clear: Clarke won’t be sold in January unless there is a huge bid – though that of course remains a possibility. Sunderland are in a strong position given that Clarke has two-and-a-half years left on his current contract, and both parties are understood to view a January exit as unlikely at this stage. Given that talks of a new deal have not progressed significantly, that could change in the summer if Sunderland have not won promotion to the Premier League.
Speakman’s comments also apply to a number of other players who have been linked with a move, including Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah. Sunderland’s approach where possible is to get successors in the building before selling, and that hasn’t really happened yet in those key positions.
Of course this can all change quickly if Premier League clubs make eye-watering bids, but significant departures at this stage seem considerably more likely in the summer window than the winter.