Championship promotion hopefuls to complete permanent move for Sunderland outcast
Birmingham look set to announce the arrival of Patrick Roberts on a permanent basis.
Sunderland’s winter window has brought little in the form of incomings so far, with Jocelin Ta Bi the only player to arrive at the Stadium of Light.
However, as expected, several stars have been afforded moves away from Wearside in search of regular gametime, with Leo Hjelde, Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson all securing exits in recent days.
Yet another appears to be on the cards before the deadline at 7pm, this time in the form of Roberts.
Patrick Roberts edges closer to Sunderland exit
Roberts was a key component to Sunderland’s promotion season, not only from the Championship but also from League One under Alex Neil.
However, the Black Cats’ summer overhaul led to the winger falling down the pecking order and then joining Birmingham City on loan.
Since his move back to the Championship, Roberts has scored three goals and provided four assists for Birmingham, who are still in with a chance of finishing in the play-offs.
And in order to achieve that, they look set to sign Roberts permanently, according to a report from the Northern Echo on deadline day.
He could be the second winger to depart the Stadium of Light on Monday, with Simon Adingra set for a loan move to Monaco.
What else will Sunderland look to do on deadline day?
As mentioned above, Adingra looks set for a move to AS Monaco until the end of the campaign, with the Black Cats expected to pocket a seven-figure sum from the move.
The Ivorian has struggled to adapt to life at Sunderland and has largely been utilised as a substitute under Regis Le Bris.
As a result, it would make sense for the Black Cats to target another wide player before the 7pm deadline, and it seems as though they are closing in on a move for Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht.
Lutsharel Geetruida was linked with an exit from Sunderland, but after a move to Liverpool fell through, it seems unlikely that any defensive reinforcements will be targeted in the final hours.
But as always with deadline day, things can change in an instant.