Although this January transfer window hasn’t been anything like what was expected with rumours of Chinese heavyweights swooping in on big names and big clubs planning overhauls with their ongoing transition stage, there have been some pretty interesting movements in the mid-table clubs. And with less than a week to go before the window close, these three clubs are expected to pull out some surprises.
Sunderland
David Moyes has had very limited resources to strengthen his collapsing side all winter and now with less than a week to go, the likely sale of their star defender Patrick van Aanholt has finally handed over some cash.
The Black Cats are expected to go all out in the last few days. Their league position is a major hindrance in getting players, but given how dangerously Sunderland have been living in the league since the last few seasons, Moyes might still have a hope flickering somewhere in his heart that the team might yet again escape the relegation this season.
Hull City
The Tigers are going through a roller-coaster of a ride at the moment. With the change in the managerial staff, a string of names has come in and gone out. While Hull found it difficult to stop their key players like Jake Livermore and Robert Snodgrass from leaving, the fans have got a new hope in boss Marco Silva, who looks to be on a quest to build a team with unproven prospects.
The Portuguese has brought in Brazilian midfielder Evandro from FC Porto, Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic, Everton reject Oumar Niasse and Olympiacos loanee Omar Elabdellaoui. After Mason’s nasty injury, expect another midfield to be recruited.
Crystal Palace
The Eagles are going through a terrible time currently. The ‘change of manager’ trend actually started at Selhurst Park which was soon followed by Swansea City and Hull City. However, no change in fortune has yet arrived at Palace.
Although Sam Allardyce has stated the need to bring in fresh faces to get the team up and running, the Eagles could only manage to bring in former Leicester City left-back Jeffery Schlupp at the moment. With targets like Jose Fonte and Robert Snodgrass slipping through their fingers, the London club is expected to do some heavy business in the last few days. Allardyce knows how to add balance to the team and that’ll be the main target in the last few days of the transfer window.
