Sunderland swoop for Hungary ace hailed as Tony Mowbray gets boost – EFL transfer notebook
Sunderland’s bid for reinforcements could go down to the wire this transfer window, and today’s EFL Transfer Notebook has all the latest news, gossip and rumours about the Black Cats and their Championship rival
We are now into the final week of the January transfer window, with time running out for Sunderland to add to their squad for the second half of the season. Manager Michael Beale, under pressure already after a series of disappointing performances and results, could do with a boost.
It has been a fairly quiet window so far on the whole, with only a few notable moves going through, such as Finn Azaz’s switch to Middlesbrough and Scott Twine joining Bristol City. Yet the transfer rumour mill continues to spin, and there’s sure to be some surprising deals going through before the window shuts on February
With that in mind, here’s the latest EFL transfer notebook, along with analysis from our EFL72 newsletter, which you can sign up to below…
Styles would be a huge addition
Sunderland are believed to be in talks with Barnsley over a deal to sign Callum Styles from the League One side. The Hungary international spent last season on loan with Millwall, where he played a role in helping Gary Rowett’s side compete for a play-off place.
Former England international Carlton Palmer believes he would be a great addition for Beale. He told Football League World: “Styles is young at 23, but has good experience and he’s a versatile player. He’s played over 100 league games at a Championship level.
“In the short term it makes good sense because he can play anywhere in that midfield area, and if he goes on to fulfill his potential he could go on to make Sunderland a very significant profit. This would be a very good bit of business given his versatility in midfield for Sunderland, who’ve been playing several players in midfield who are not considered as natural midfield players.”
EFL72 says: “Michael Beale certainly needs a boost and a loan move for Styles with a permanent deal at the end of the season could be just the signing. Styles certainly appears to fit the Sunderland recruitment model under sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.”
Boro dealt Rogers blow
Middlesbrough are braced for further bids from Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers after learning of the 21-year-old’s desire to join the Premier League club. Villa have so far had two bids for the forward rejected but the Daily Mail reports that Boro are now aware that Rogers is keen to move. Boro are now anticipating another bid for Rogers, who they currently value at a minimum of £10m.
EFL72 says: “This is proving to be one of the longer-running January sagas. With Rogers having four-and-a-half years left on his contract, Middlesbrough are not under any pressure to sell, but Aston Villa may well intensify their interest in the final week of the window, particularly if, as rumoured, Chelsea make a move for their back-up striker Jhon Duran.”
Ex-Boro star heading back to the Championship
Reports from Turkey claim former Boro defender Marc Bola is heading back to the Championship. Bola spent four years at Boro before leaving to join Samsunspor last summer for an undisclosed fee. Yet Samsun Gazetes report that Bola could already be in line for a return to England due to Samsunspor’s need to reduce the number of foreign players in their squad to 14. That has led to interest in Bola from Ipswich Town, who are keen to add cover to their left-back position.
EFL72 says: “Bola could be available for a reasonable fee should Samsunspor be keen to get rid of him quickly, and Ipswich Town are in need of a left-back to cover Leif Davis, having already made an approach for Sheffield Wednesday’s Marvin Johnson in this window. With Bola’s Championship experience, he would be a smart player to go for.”
How Phillips feels about Leeds exit
The Daily Mail reports that Kalvin Phillips does not regret his decision to leave Leeds United, despite his Man City career so far proving underwhelming. Phillips is on the brink of exiting City on loan to West Ham having found first-team football incredibly hard to come by since his 2022 move from Elland Road.
The decision to sell Phillips did not pay-off for the Whites, either, who failed to properly replace the talismanic midfielder and were subsequently relegated in a chaotic season. Yet Phillips is said to still view the move as the correct one for his career.
