One of the few clubs in the Premier league, who have not managed to bring in more players, despite needing reinforcements badly, is Sunderland. And with just a week left in the transfer window, things are likely to intensify in the closing days; as all those links and speculations will now either fall through or reach a closure.
It has been a difficult month for the Black Cats’ boss now. The club’s position in the Premier League table and their incapability to meet the wage demands has prevented them from getting quality players, neither from the Premier League nor from the Championship.
Sunderland’s defence is in dire need of reinforcement. With their star defender Lamine Kone away at AFCON and their full-back Patrick van Aanholt moving to Selhurst Park, Moyes is desperately looking for someone to hold the mast at the back and steer the club out of the relegation zone. Although Joleon Lescott has been brought to the club, he is unlikely to make any big difference.
Moyes had been quite persistent in his pursuit of Everton duo Bryan Oviedo and Phil Jagielka, but it seems that the players aren’t willing to move to a relegation threatened side. And according to reports, Moyes is now looking outside for a solution in Ligue 1 side Bordeaux’s full-back Diego Contento. Of course, it will be a loan move. Given how Sunderland fell just short of a bid for Swansea City’s Neil Taylor, they surely won’t be able to shell out Contento’s transfer fee.
Contento joined the French side in 2014 and has been a regular for the side since then. The 26-year-old has been hugely successful in his previous stint in Germany with his boyhood club Bayern Munich, where he has won three Bundesliga titles, three German Cups and the Champions League.
A left-back by nature, Contento is more of a utility player who can play on the flanks, in the centre-half position and also in the central midfield. A no-nonsense defender, Contento is known for his concentration on the game and could also be the badly needed defensive leader, Sunderland are missing at the moment.
He has made 12 appearances for Bordeaux this season and is seeking first team action elsewhere. If Sunderland can pull this off, it will be a massive boost to their hopes of beating the drop this season. With Kone returning, Sunderland’s defence could finally have the stability that saved them from relegation last season.
