Sunderland: Konate could replace Embleton

Sunderland have lower than every week remaining within the January switch window to make additional additions to their squad earlier than it slams shut.

Tony Mowbray and Kristjaan Speakman have already swooped to sign Pierre Ekwah on a everlasting deal from West Ham United, however he might not be the ultimate arrival on the Stadium of Mild this month.

Journalist Alan Nixon just lately claimed (by way of Patreon) that the Black Cats are closing in on the signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Ateef Konate on mortgage till the top of the season.

The Wearsiders look set to beat Championship rivals Bristol Metropolis and Stoke to land the gem’s signature, and the 21-year-old might be a substitute for injured attacker Elliot Embleton.

The present Sunderland midfielder suffered an ankle fracture and ligament injury in a Championship conflict towards Hull in December and it stays to be seen if he will likely be again in motion earlier than the top of the season, which opens up the door for a participant to return in and take his place within the squad.

Konate might be the person to do this, as a mortgage transfer to Wearside till Embleton is again match and able to play – doubtlessly for the beginning of the 2023/24 marketing campaign – might be a shrewd transfer by Speakman.

Journalist Josh Bunting commented on the potential deal, tweeting: “Ateef Konaté has been actually spectacular for Nottingham Forest at 21 degree, suits the mannequin at Sunderland. Has so many qualities, he wants a mortgage transfer and I really feel we’re the very best staff to assist him develop proper now. Will match proper in with the younger French lads #SAFC.”

As Bunting referenced, having Ekwah, Edouard Michut, Abdoullah Ba and Isaac Lihadji – who’re all compatriots of Konate – may assist him to settle into life on Wearside.

Alongside along with his expertise of English soccer with Forest, that would permit the midfielder to hit the bottom working and make an instantaneous affect within the second half of the marketing campaign rather than the stricken Embleton.

Ought to Sunderland signal Konate?

The French teenager, who was as soon as dubbed “impressive” by Josh Bunting, has scored six targets and produced one help in seven Premier League 2 matches for Forest this season, after managing seven targets and seven assists in 23 appearances within the division final time period.

These statistics point out that the 21-year-old provides a objective risk from midfield while additionally having the ability to create for his team-mates, and the Frenchman may exchange the standard that Embleton supplied from the center of the park on the Stadium of Mild if he could make the step as much as first-team degree.

The present Sunderland ace scored eight targets and arrange an extra six in 38 League One appearances for the membership final season, and Speakman can now discover one other attacking midfielder who can ship targets and assists on a semi-regular foundation by signing Konate to take the 23-year-old’s place while he’s out injured.