Sunderland head into the January transfer window looking to add to their squad and finish the season well.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has had his say on the Black Cats January transfer plans.
Regis Le Bris has made the surprise revelation that Sunderland will target two or three players in the January transfer window after their brilliant start to the season.
The Black Cats signed 14 new players in the summer transfer window – which has taken them to within a few points of survival heading into the festive period.
The likes of Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Noah Sadiki, Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele – and the list goes on – have Sunderland sat in eighth place on 26 points after just 16 games.
In that time, Sunderland have beaten the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United and Bournemouth, while picking up points against table-topping Arsenal and reigning champions Liverpool.
But the Black Cats aren’t resting on their laurels and will look to overhaul the squad, once again, in January, with the focus being on outgoing players.
“Behind the scenes, with the other squad, we are working hard for both ins and outs, because it will be important in both directions,” Le Bris said.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has spoken about transfer plans.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The ‘other squad’ Le Bris referred to is the group of first-team players that has trained away from the main group since the summer transfer window closed.
Abdoullah Ba, Jay Matete, Timothee Pembele, Ian Poveda and Joe Anderson are among those who will be looking for January moves away from the Stadium of Light.
Le Bris added: “The main focus for me at the minute is the opposition [Brighton, Leeds etc]. With Flo and his team, they are working hard to prepare the opportunities.
“We worked hard last summer to recruit 14 players and at the minute we are happy with the level of the squad.
“We don’t have to make a huge impact now, we’re talking about two or three profiles maximum in and probably a bit more for outs, because it will be important to find opportunities for them.
“Yes, it’s important for sure, because after half-a-season now you know what you have and it’s still better to join a team with good dynamics rather than a team that is more in doubt or in a bad time.”
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Chronicle Live asked the Sunderland boss whether any players from that other group could be reintegrated into the first-team due to players leaving for AFCON, but the response was pretty clear.
The Black Cats boss replied: “We still have the numbers without this group which will be involved in this transfer window. Probably won’t change their situation.
“We’ll see. We know that this market is more about opportunity market, but at the same time, they’re good players so they might find options.”