Sunderland have won in the race with Rangers to sign Swansea forward Oli McBurnie, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.
The reliable journalist claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Black Cats have “pipped” the Light Blues to signing McBurnie, 21, on loan for the rest of the season.
Sunderland have pipped Rangers to the signing of Swansea striker @oli_mcburnie. Sunderland with a youthful strike force for the remainder of the season.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 31, 2018
Rangers may have targetted McBurnie after widespread reports of bids going in for Alfredo Morelos from the Chinese Super League.
But with Graeme Murty’s side due to play Fraserbugh in the Scottish Cup in the coming hours, there have been no further developments on that, so it seems that the Gers may not have needed to sign McBurnie afterall.
The Swansea centre-forward has made 11 appearances in the Premier League season but has failed to score.
Good move for Rangers?
Morelos, 21, has been in great form this season and is the top goalscorer in the Scottish Premiership. To let him go would have been a massive risk but it seems Dave King and Murty have now allowed that to happen, even though Chinese clubs can still sign players up until the end of February. After the window slams shut at 11pm on Wednesday night, they may be gutted to have not signed McBurnie, but they will definitely be happy to have kept hold of Morelos.
This is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
McBurnie has struggled to get regular game time at Swansea and must be itching to get more minutes in senior football. Sky Sports reporter Downie has been in top form on deadline day so far with most deals in the North-East of England, so it’s very likely this deal will materialise.
This is Futbol rating 8/10