Sunderland AFC should push to sign Chelsea man and Southampton attacker as soon as next week

Sunderland have progressed well this season under Regis Le Bris, with the club currently in the mix for automatic promotion.

The Black Cats could benefit from some additions in January though, even though their current first-teamers have done a good job during the 2024/25 campaign.

An injection of experience could make all the difference in the promotion race and there are a couple of areas they could definitely look at strengthening before the January transfer window closes.

They may also offload some players during the current window to make room for others and it will be interesting to see how much owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is willing to spend.

Below, we have listed two players that the Wearside outfit should consider recruiting sooner rather than later.

Chelsea’s Harvey Vale is an extremely versatile player and that could make him a very useful player at the Stadium of Light.

The wing area could benefit from strengthening, with the likes of Romaine Mundle, Tommy Watson and Ian Poveda spending time out injured this season. Jack Clarke is no longer at the club either, so recruiting Vale on a permanent deal could allow them to have an extra option in this department if required.

Vale can also play at left-back, offering useful cover for Dennis Cirkin and Aji Alese, who have had injury issues of their own on Wearside, while the Chelsea academy product has proven an asset in central and attacking midfield during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Still just 21, a permanent deal could see the Black Cats make a handsome profit in the future and he would certainly fit the profile of player that we’ve seen Kristjaan Speakman and Louis-Dreyfus recruit in recent years.

The previous EFL experience he has under his belt at former loan club Bristol Rovers could benefit him if he takes a step down the football pyramid while Sunderland is likely to be an attractive destination given the experiences of the likes of Clarke, Jobe Bellingham, and Chris Rigg.