Don Goodman issues Southampton warning to Sunderland over Brereton Diaz links
Don Goodman has urged Sunderland to be careful in the transfer window amid loan links to Ben Brereton Diaz at Southampton.
Sunderland already showcased their ambition with the loan capture of Enzo Le Fee, but that intent seemingly hasn’t stopped there.
The Black Cats have also been linked with a move for Brereton Diaz [Sky Sports], with the deal potentially said to hinge on Sunderland’s willingness to agree to a mandatory buy clause should they get promoted.
But Goodman, speaking exclusively to Mackem News, has urged them to be careful.
“You’ve got to be careful with these kind of deals,” explained Goodman.
“If you look at Southampton, for instance, I’m sure they wanted [Taylor] Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes. And when you look at what they were able to do around that, I’m not sure that they’ve done the best business last summer to give themselves the best chance of survival, which clearly hasn’t worked.
“They are going down and there will be a Championship club this time next season. I’ve got absolutely no doubts about that. So, you’ve got to be careful with these kind of deals.
“I’m not sure, if I’m honest, that he is better than what Sunderland have available in their squad at the minute. So, with that in mind, you have to be careful about what you commit to.”
Brereton Diaz would be a gamble for Sunderland
Whether any deal materialises or not, the potential risk of his signing still needs to be identified and the mandatory clause is certainly one of them but you would expect an attacking arrival soon given the imminent departure of Aaron Connolly [Roker Report].
Diaz hasn’t set the world alight in the Premier League, barely getting game time for a side destined to finish bottom and would it represent good business for Sunderland to tie themselves into a deal involving him? There are question marks for sure.
Given how the Black Cats are currently set up, there would even be questions as to where he would fit in the current lineup.
Romaine Mundle, albeit out injured at the moment, usually occupies the left flank as a creative winger and Diaz would potentially not fit that role.
The next few weeks will certainly provide intense curiosity as to how they attack the remainder of the transfer window.
In other Sunderland news, the Black Cats may have optimism for this player after what he did in the FA Cup.
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