Sunderland eye move for 20-year-old ‘huge talent’ who’s ‘unhappy’ at current club

According to reports, Sunderland has entered the battle for Lille winger Alan Virginius in an attempt to add talent to Michael Beale’s team.

 

On New Year’s Day, Sunderland defeated Preston North End 2-0 at home to secure their first victory under Michael Beale and secure a spot in the top six.

The Black Cats are about to enter a crucial part of their season, and it

appears that they want to improve their playing group in order to increase their chances of getting promoted.

 

Beale is already connected to some reinforcements on the pitch, such as Jay

Stansfield, a striker for Fulham who is now on loan at Birmingham City.

 

Links pertaining to Lawrence Shankland, the striker for Hearts, have also surfaced.

The Sunderland manager is well-positioned to fend off Rangers’ interest in

signing the 28-year-old, who has 12 goals in 20 games this season.

 

But they have a broad interest in offensive players, which is why Lille

winger Alan Virginius has been connected to them.

 

The Black Cats have tried again for him, having had their summertime proposal of £4.3 million turned down.

Sunderland want Alan Virginius in a loan-to-buy deal

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Sunderland have joined Swiss side Young

Boys and Ligue 1 side Clermont Foot in the race to sign Alan Virginius.

The report claims that the France U20 international is ‘unhappy’ at his current

club and wants to leave in this window after finding out he isn’t in Lille’s plans.

It is said that Young Boys are the side pushing the most to secure a deal for the Frenchman having submitted a loan with

an option to buy for around €4.5 million (£3.9 million) including bonuses.

Even though they started the race in first place, Sunderland has not yet made a

bid, but if they want it, a deal might be in the works.

 

They could need to move quickly to complete the signing if they are serious

about acquiring the winger, who can play on either the left or right flank.

Who would Virginius replace at Sunderland?

Sunderland has struggled all season long at the right wing, despite Jack Clarke solidifying his position on the left side.

 

This season, Patrick Roberts is still without a goal, while Abdoullah Ba has been called “particularly awful” for his lack of a steady stream of performances.

Even though Roberts is clearly gifted and has shown signs of returning to his greatest form under Beale, he would benefit from having more competition down the right, maybe someone who would challenge him to reach his best.

 

Ba hasn’t done it yet, but Virginius—who scout Jack Kulig called a “huge talent”—might provide him a challenge to his starting spot on the team.

 

Kulig describes Virginius as a creative player who possesses excellent ball

handling technique, mobility, acceleration skills, quick direction

changes, short dribbling ability, and good short-mid passing ability.

 

Sunderland is in desperate need of such kinds of qualities to make their right flank equally as potent as their left.