Last week Sunderland were dealt a blow when their deal to bring Davide Santon to the club fell at the final hurdle. This has left the Black Cats searching for a right-back, with Billy Jones the only one currently on the books at the club. The 25-year-old Italian was expected to be Sunderland’s first summer signing and had passed a medical and agreed personal terms with the club. In a statement released today, however, Sunderland revealed that the ex-Newcastle man would not be joining after they failed to agree a fee for the defender.
DeAndre Yedlin has left the club following the end of his loan spell, whilst Adam Matthews appears to be on his way to Bristol City in a permanent deal. This leaves Sam Allardyce with a task this summer in finding a full-back that can slot straight into the starting eleven.
We look at five potential targets for the Black Cats in this summers transfer window:
DeAndre Yedlin
The American would be welcomed back to the Stadium of Light with open arms at present. He flourished at the end of the last season, however, with Tottenham playing hard ball on their reported £5-million asking price, we could well see this one drag on late into the window.
Danny Simpson
Another former Black Cat, Danny Simpson now has a premier league winners medal to his name. Simpson has improved and matured drastically since his short loan spell on Wearside in 2007. A £4-million fee is not too steep for a player who impressed for Leicester last year, and he would be a fine addition to the Sunderland squad if the club can strike a deal.
Davide Santon
Despite pulling out of the deal publicly last week, Santon would still be superb addition to the Sunderland side. The Italian agreed personal terms with the club, it was in fact the two clubs who could not agree the terms.
It was very unusual for the club to comment on a failed transfer which potentially indicates that Sunderland’s staff feel Inter are at fault for the deal collapsing, with tensions between the two clubs still thought to be high following the Ricky Alvarez saga.
Carl Jenkisnon
A target last summer for the club, Jenkinson is a young and bright English talent. Currently back at Arsenal following an injury plagued loan spell at West Ham, Jenkisnon could be available on another loan deal, although Sunderland would ideally like to clinch a permanent deal.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Perhaps a surprising choice to some, however, Arbeloa has experience and the quality to make a huge impact on Wearside. The Spaniard is way down in the pecking order at Real Madrid, making just six appearances last season. The former Liverpool man could be available on a cut-price deal or on loan and could well be the best option and the best value for money that Big Sam could get this summer.