
Deadline day has been and gone, with some low-key exits and just the one player, Jayden Danns from Liverpool, being announced a day late. Overall the main focus of the window became about trying to keep our star players rather than brining in major reinforcements. A nice position to be in! Here’s a recap of Monday’s transfer events.
BA EXIT
Just after midnight, Sunderland confirmed the loan exit of Abdoullah Ba. The 21-year-old has joined French second division side USL Dunkerque until the end of the season. He played a prominent role in last season, and actually registered more goal contributions than Patrick Roberts with three league goals and four assists, but has not been a part of Regis Le Bris’ plans at all this campaign. He’s not played a single minute of Championship football and needs to find regular game time elsewhere.
Kristjaan Speakman said: “After playing regularly throughout his first two seasons at the Club, first-team opportunities have been limited for Abdoullah this season. We hope this move will be a platform for him to earn regular playing time before he returns to Sunderland at the end of the campaign. We wish him well and look forward to reviewing his progress throughout the next few months.”
JEWISON BENNETTE
Another player who has struggled to break into the Sunderland first team is Jewison Bennette. There was some confusion on Monday regarding a potential loan move which would have taken the Costa Rica international to Charlton, on loan. The late deal was even announced by Sky Sports, but the move did not go through in time. Therefore, Bennette will remain a Sunderland player for the rest of the season and most likely return to the U21s.
CADEN KELLY
Caden Kelly has extended his loan stay with Darlington FC until the end of the 2024-25 season. The 21-year-old initially joined the Quakers in October and has made 18 appearances, scoring three times. The midfielder will now see out the remainder of the campaign with the National League North side.
Academy Manager Robin Nicholls said: "As Caden continues to find his pathway in football, it is great that Darlington wants to keep him until the end of the season. Senior minutes with Darlo will continue to provide him with a different challenge to the PL2; a competition he has played in for several seasons now. We hope it is a positive second half of the campaign for both Caden and Darlington."
NATHAN BISHOP
Bishop has found a new loan home until the end of the season. He began the campaign with high-flying Wycombe Wanderers but has now joined Cambridge United at the bottom of League One. Some commenters on our social media have pointed out that Mike Dodds is set to join Wycombe, and perhaps Bishop’s exit is linked to Dodds’ arrival, however it’s more likely simply because the keeper only made two league appearances for the Chairboys. He has struggled with injuries too, in the first half of the season.
TOMMY WATSON
Don’t worry, Tommy is staying! This sage was one which dragged through deadline day but ultimately never materialised, despite Brighton’s best efforts. Reports on Monday morning claimed that the Seagulls had offered £8.5m up front plus add-ons, but the Black Cats didn’t want to let the winger go without a replacement lined up. They supposedly asked for Simon Adingra on loan in exchange, but this was always going to be an ambitious option for a player who has made 16 Premier League appearances this season.
Rumours then suggested that, after Brighton tabled a much-improved offer for Watson, the 18-year-old actually began travelling down to Brighton for a medical. Fabrizio Romano reported that £13 million was the total package offered to the Black Cats. However, with Sunderland unable to find a replacement so late in the window, the deal collapsed. Kasey McAteer of Leicester City was touted as one replacement but, again, this was always an unlikely move so late on deadline day. It is understood that Sunderland had always planned on retaining the teenager in the event that no replacement could be brought in. Brighton eventually gave up the chase, although it is worth noting Watson only has 18 months left on his current contract.
JAYDEN DANNS
Finally, onto Sunderland’s single incoming in the latter part of the window. It became clear on Monday morning that we were in for the Liverpool striker and soon become frontrunners to land his loan signature. The paperwork was completed before the 11pm deadline but with all the chaos of the Boro game yesterday, Sunderland’s media team were understandably a bit busy but the deal was officially confirmed today. He’s rated highly at Liverpool and looks to be a good prospect – however, the club actually found a back injury in his medical which means he requires a rest period, and he’ll be doing rehab at Liverpool’s training centre.