Phil Smith has claimed on The Roar podcast that Sunderland will likely now change their transfer strategy.
The Black Cats have thus far been very proactive in the transfer market, managing to bring in three new signings, with former loanee Jack Clarke the latest to join the club on a permanent basis. However, that could be the end of such signings, according to Smith.
Alex Neil’s side may now look to utilise the loan market, which worked well for them last season, with the likes of Nathan Broadhead and Callum Doyle featuring heavily during their promotion-winning campaign.
Smith believes it will be mainly loan signings for the Wearsiders throughout the remainder of the transfer window.
He said: “I do think it shows again, in Dan Ballard, who was probably in the region of £1.5-2m as well, I think it just goes to show that there is a willingness to invest and there is an ability to invest.
Do Sunderland need to make more signings?
Yes!
No!
“Albeit, you don’t imagine there’ll be too many more fees spent. I would expect some loans to come in now as well. There may be one or two more, but I think loans will supplement the squad as well.”
TIF Thoughts on Sunderland’s transfer window…
It has been a very strong transfer window for Sunderland so far, having brought in three players, however, the striker department is still seems rather threadbare, and could get even more so if Rangers firm up their interest in Ross Stewart.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that Sunderland were interested in a move for Tottenham Hotspur youngster Troy Parrott on loan and remain interested in Broadhead, who managed to net 13 goals for the Black Cats last season.