Sunderland’s transfer window will have to be a very calculated one as they don’t have the necessary funds to spend big and get themselves out of trouble. The Black Cats have picked up their form and have given themselves a good chance to once again have a second half turnaround but unless they add a few fresh faces, they are unlikely to avoid a nervy ending.
Until they can sell players, Moyes won’t be able to bring in good recruits. Recent reports reveal that Fenerbahce, who are fourth in the Turkish Super Lig, are looking to exploit the Black Cats’ precarious situation by offering Emmanuel Emenike and Gregory van der Wiel for Wahbi Khazri and Jeremain Lens.
Lens joined the Wearside outfit for a hefty fee but couldn’t nail down a first team place under Sam Allardyce. His work rate issues meant that Khazri was preferred over him when the Tunisian was signed in the winter transfer window. Khazri put in some tenacious performances under Allardyce and it’s quite a surprise that Moyes hasn’t considered him for a first team role more often. He recently left for the AFCON.
Van der Weil surprised many when he moved to the Turkish league after a good spell with PSG. Many deemed him good enough for the bigger European Leagues and Sunderland could be a good option to rub his shoulders with some top sides in the League. Still only 28, he has what it takes to be a top full-back if he can replicate his form of the PSG days.
Sunderland need a right back as well, so he could be an ideal signing. Emenike, on the other hand, didn’t have a good spell in the League when he was signed on loan by West Ham United. In 16 games for the club, he couldn’t manage a single goal and was a big disappointment considering he came in with some talk of being a beast of a striker in terms of his build!
Emenike, of course, will say that he didn’t have consistent game time to show his true colours and we’re still wondering what he’ll add to Sunderland other than depth in the attack. You never know, though, as Victor Anichebe wasn’t expected to have an impact yet he has given Moyes a valuable alternative up front.
Van Der Weil’s signing could be a much-needed boost and Emenike will provide the backup. Lens and Khazri are outcasts anyway, so the deal could be beneficial to David Moyes.
