After losing their opening match against Coventry City, Sunderland’s performance under new manager Michael Beale has been inconsistent. However, they have since turned things around with a 1-0 victory over play-off rivals Hull City.
The new manager will be hoping to use his team’s most recent victory as the foundation for consistency in the Championship, which could see them guarantee a spot in the top six, when they take on Rotherham United next. But in just a few days, the January transfer window will open, and the Black Cats will have the opportunity to bring in some players who could significantly alter the course of the promotion battle. And that might just apply to one specific Premier League star.
News about Sunderland transfers
In his first transfer window at The Stadium of Light, Beale might be looking to establish himself right away on the Sunderland team that Tony Mowbray left behind. Getting into the play-offs and continuing where Mowbray left off might be the main objectives. Currently, Beale’s team is one point ahead of Bristol City and Preston North End and sixth on goal differential, ahead of Hull. The Black Cats could drop out of the crucial top six with just one error, so Sunderland may look to the transfer market to prevent that from happening.
Sky Sports reports that Sunderland is considering a January move to sign Jay Stansfield, a striker for Fulham who is currently on loan at Birmingham City in the Championship. However, they might have to fend off interest from Ipswich Town, who are also reportedly hoping to sign the striker in the January transfer window, if they want to secure the forward’s signature.
Even though an offer from Ipswich might be alluring, Sunderland still has a chance to acquire Stansfield for Beale, which could be a game-changer if they move quickly.
“Excellent” Stansfield has the ability to guarantee Sunderland’s playoff spot.
Stansfield is only 21 years old, but his numbers already indicate that he has what it takes to be an important member of any Championship team. If Beale was successful in signing the forward, he might create a deadly combination with current wide player Jack Clarke from Fulham, which could guarantee Sunderland’s spot in the top six this year. This season, the two compare as follows:
| Player | Goals | Assists | Progressive Carries | Progressive Passes | Expected Goals |
| Jay Stansfield | 7 | 2 | 47 | 25 | 4.9 |
| Jack Clarke | 11 | 1 | 201 | 122 | 8.5 |