Sunderland look well on course to be relegated this season.
After years of narrowly avoiding the drop from the Premier League, the Black Cats’ luck appears to be at an end.
Following Saturday’s 3-1 loss at home to Stoke City, Sunderland are in 19th position.
David Moyes’ side are just a point behind Crystal Palace in 17th place, but the smart money would be on them starting next season in the Championship.
Given Sunderland reportedly have the 10th highest wage bill in the top flight, their current position conveys how poorly the club has been run in recent years.
It would be a difficult task for Sunderland to convince any ambitious player to move to the Stadium of Light in the current window, but that won’t stop them trying.
According to The Sunday Independent, Sunderland will attempt to sign James McCarthy and Robbie Brady, two of the Republic of Ireland’s key players, this month.
Norwich City are prepared to accept a bid of £12m for Brady, according to the report. The 25-year-old has attracted interest from a host of clubs, including Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, and looks set to move before the end of the window.
Sunderland have been linked with a move for Brady before, but it’s difficult to make a case for him to join the struggling team. Brady will have to choose his next move carefully, after suffering relegation in consecutive seasons with Hull and Norwich respectively.
He’ll want to avoid a third relegation in three years, and therefore should avoid Sunderland.
Plenty of options https://t.co/NZtpPVh2yU
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 5, 2017
The same applies to James McCarthy. The Everton midfielder is also wanted by Sunderland, according to the report.
Moyes’ team would have to sign the player on a permanent deal, as they already have two players, Jason Denayer and Adnan Januzaj, on loan from English clubs.
McCarthy has been linked with a move away from Everton since last summer and Ronald Koeman doesn’t seem too keen on him.
Morgan Schneiderlin signing for the club, and the emergence of Tom Davies, appears to have further diminished McCarthy’s chances of playing regularly.
Decision time for the Ireland midfielder… https://t.co/xV09dZWiHs
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 11, 2016
McCarthy has been linked with moves to Newcastle United, Celtic and West Brom.
Only Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are understood to have made a serious bid, but the club would be unable to match the wages on offer in the Premier League.
However, like Brady, McCarthy would be better served staying put until the summer, rather than join Sunderland, who look destined to drop into the Championship.
