Sam Allardyce today underwent a press conference ahead of the Manchester City game next Tuesday and also gave an insight on the latest Transfer News ahead of the fast-approaching deadline. Allardyce indicated there is still unfinished business on Wearside as he told the press that he promises to be “extremely active” right up until the Transfer Deadline. It has been a quite frantic few days for Big Sam as Charis Mavrias has joined 2 Bundesliga outfit Fortuna Dusseldorf, and very recently the departure of Sebastian Coates was announced as he jetted to Portugal to secure a deal with Sporting Lisbon; the Uruguayan defender has completed a loan deal with a view to a rumoured £3.8m permanent deal in the summer.
Allardyce will also be pleased to see that the services of Lamine Kone have finally been secured for a fee of £5m after he revived interest in the centre-half following the inevitable departure of Coates. Promising to be active, Allardyce also admitted to making an enquiry for former Newcastle player Mathieu Debuchy as he looks to strengthen his defence. However, Big Sam admitted today that Sunderland have given up on the pursuit of Swansea forward Andre Ayew and will look “overseas” for a potential forward; “Have we given up? Yes. I can’t see Swansea selling Andre Ayew.” The Daily Mail are today reporting that Sunderland have opened talks with 24-year-old Bordeaux forward Wahbi Khazri – so this may confirm that the deal with Ayew is dead in the water.
Allardyce has spent just shy of £6m this window but he’s be hoping that he can push at least one more through the door by Monday “I think certainly one more will be achieved before Monday,” Allardyce voiced. A forward and right-back seemingly look like priority positions for Allardyce, and there have already been 5 outgoings and 3 arrivals at the Stadium of Light this window but judging Big Sam’s comments, I expect it to be a busy end to the window as Allardyce tries to save Sunderland’s Premier League status.
