Sunderland January transfer window guide: Who Regis Le Bris could sign, who could depart and deadline day explained
Sunderland’s European ambitions are likely to be reflected by the business they do in the upcoming January transfer window.
Sunderland are guaranteed to finish 2025 inside the Premier League’s top 10, showcasing just how well the likes of Kristjaan Speakman and Florent Ghisolfi did to assemble the current squad on Wearside.
The Black Cats signed a total of 15 new players in the summer window, with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele and Robin Roefs already proving to be resounding successes.
Once again, Sunderland are expected to be active in the January transfer window, only this time, there will be an element of composure to their business, as opposed to a last-minute scramble like we all became so accustomed to.
January transfer window dates
The January transfer window opens on New Year’s Day, though clubs often look to get deals on track before that.
This year’s deadline day falls on Monday, 2 February, as a result of the 31 January falling on a Saturday, allowing clubs that extra bit of wiggle room when it comes to negotiating late deals.
| Opening date | Closing date | Deadline time |
| Thursday, 1 January | Monday, 2 February | 7.00 pm (GMT) |
At 7pm on 2 February, the transfer window will officially close, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the business.
Clubs in the Premier League will be afforded extra hours to get deals over the line, so long as they submit a deal sheet prior to the deadline.
Sunderland have been known to leave plenty of transfers until the final few minutes of the window, as they did with Bertrand Traore in the summer, though any business could come in the opening weeks.
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Who could Sunderland sign in January?
As always at this time of the year, Sunderland have already been linked with several transfers, some certainly more ambitious than the rest.
One that seems more likely to happen is Matteo Guendouzi, who has been linked with a move to Sunderland ever since the summer.
The Lazio midfielder has ties with Regis Le Bris through their time together at FC Lorient, and the Black Cats boss may look to use that to their advantage.
Conor Gallagher is another midfielder who has been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light, with reinforcing their options in the middle of the park certainly looking like a priority.
Only three teams have scored fewer goals than the Wearsiders in the Premier League, with attacking arrivals also likely to be on the agenda.
Roma’s Artem Dovbyk has been offered to Sunderland, according to reports from Italy, though it is likely the addition of a winger will be prioritised.
Sunderland expected to offload several stars in the coming weeks
Le Bris has been fairly rigid with his team selection over the season, and given the success that the Black Cats have had, that is more than warranted.
However, that has come at a cost for several of those who played a key role in Sunderland’s promotion back to the Premier League.
Among those who could leave are Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin and Anthony Patterson, all of whom have been linked with other clubs in England.
Arthur Masuaku looks destined to quit the Stadium of Light just months after arriving on a free, while Eliezer Mayenda could also be afforded a loan move.
Mayenda has hardly featured for Sunderland this season, and given his age and his potential, there is every chance that the Black Cats look to find him a new club for the remainder of the season, though it’s highly unlikely they would sanction a permanent exit.
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