Sunderland prepare another Premier League transfer budget as player exits on cards in January
Dan Plumley has detailed the benefits of Sunderland offloading fringe players in January.
Sunderland have yet to make any new additions in January, with the majority of the window expected to be focused on moving players out who have had little to no gametime.
Timothee Pembele has joined Le Havre on loan, Jay Matete has completed a permanent switch to MK Dons, while several youngsters have been afforded short-term moves on loan.
More exits are expected throughout the remainder of the transfer window, and Sunderland are in a healthy position to sanction them as a result of the success they have found in the first half of the campaign.
Sunderland’s success has allowed fringe players to depart
Sunderland are almost safe from relegation already, and all it will take is two or three more wins to mathematically make sure of their spot in the Premier League for the next campaign.
As a result, the Black Cats will already have one eye on the strategy for the summer window, with finance expert Dan Plumley detailing how their success has made it far easier to sanction January exits.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, he said: “They will still be saying never say never, but as we’re talking now, it looks like it’d be highly unlikely if they got dragged into the relegation battle if all things stayed the same.
“That’s a big plus that they can go into January with that bit of confidence, and what starts you to be able to do is look to the next summer cycle.
“Getting into the Premier League was phenomenal and opens up the financial riches that come with it, but repeating the trick is arguably even better.
“They can take offers for some of these fringe players where if they were in the thick of a relegation battle and in the bottom three, they might not be taking those offers.
“I think it really just depends on the strategy, but I think the on-pitch performance of the club is a huge factor within that.
“They’re giving themselves a platform to stay in the league, which means that you can just start to look a little bit further ahead and at least put a budget scenario down for being a Premier League club next season.”
Are Sunderland going to bring players in this January?
Regis Le Bris will no doubt be happy with the squad that he has, but additions will certainly be welcome as they look to push for a European spot.
In recent days, Tammy Abraham has been loosely linked with a move to the Stadium of Light, with rumours of a deal for Jocelin Ta Bi also emerging.
The Black Cats made a bid to sign Brennan Johnson, showcasing that there is money to be spent if the right player becomes available.
For now, it seems as though they remain focused on securing exits for those on the fringes of the team.