If a recent report from Mackem News is believed to be true, Sunderland are keeping close tabs on Fabio Carvalho ahead of a potential winter swoop. But they are not alone in the hunt, with fellow Premier League newcomers Leeds United, as well as the bottom-placed Wolves, also holding an interest in the Brentford outcast.
The 23-year-old former England and Portugal youth international progressed through the academy ranks of Olivais Sul and Benfica before plying his trade in South London. There, he spent a couple of years with Balham but was eventually roped in by Fulham for their youth setup.
His Struggle So Far In The Top-flight of English Football
Having made significant strides across various youth levels, Carvalho earned his senior debut in September 2020. However, he was a regular for the Cottagers throughout the 2021-22 Championship season, and his impressive spell earned him a high-profile £5m transfer to Liverpool in the summer of 2022. While he made 21 appearances for the Merseysiders, the lack of first-team opportunities saw him join RB Leipzig on a season-long loan ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
But the Reds recalled him in December and sent him to Hull City for gametime. Carvalho revived his form in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and the Bees splashed out around £27.5m to have him in West London in August 2024. Although he was involved 24 times by Thomas Frank, Keith Andrews, his successor, has hardly deployed the youngster after handing him a start in their opening gameweek fixture against Nottingham Forest.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, a loan return to the Bundesliga remains a possibility for Carvalho. Nevertheless, he should prefer to stay in the Premier League and prove his worth to stake a claim in Andrews’ long-term plans.
Why He Should Choose Between Sunderland And Leeds United
Meanwhile, Sunderland would be without Chemsdine Talbi in January due to AFCON, and the arrival of the Brentford star should restore depth and balance for his ability to slot in as a wide attacker. Regis Le Bris has been flexible with his system, and therefore, could utilise him in his preferred ‘number 10’ spot while lining the Black Cats up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Having said that, Leeds‘ injury woes up top could fascinate him to join the West Yorkshire side. Daniel Farke has often switched between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, and Carvalho’s presence in and around the attacking third would jeopardise Brendan Aaronson’s first-team future.
The USMNT playmaker, currently deputising as a right-winger, netted his first goal of the season last weekend against West Ham United. But the over-reliance on him could cost the Whites deep down the campaign. Wolves’ set-up might not suit Carvalho’s game, and it remains to be seen where he ends up in search of assured minutes.
