Sunderland Transfer Rumours: 5 Players Fans Would Love To See Signed

Having already enacted an extreme overhaul of his playing staff at the Stadium of Light, it hasn’t taken Paolo Di Canio long to assert his authority as Sunderland manager.

The enthusiastic Italian has already moved to bring in numerous faces, with Sky Sports reporting on the signing of defensive trio, Modibo Diakite, Cabral and Valentin Roberge.

In addition, BBC Sport has reported Di Canio as having tied up a deal for the Swede, David Moberg Karlsson, while El Hadji Ba is reported as a signing by ESPN, rounded off nicely with the slightly more understated acquisition of Altrincham’s Duncan Watmore, announced by the Daily Mail.

So, as we can see, it’s already been a busy list of names that’s made its way into the Stadium of Light, but the spending doesn’t look ready to stop there.

Having all been linked with a move to the northeast, the following five names can all be considered somewhat realistic targets for Sunderland this summer, and could all bring individual worth to Di Canio’s new setup.

Last week, The Guardian brought news that will have struck Wearsiders to the very core, announcing that Liverpool had indeed tied up a deal to sign Simon Mignolet, valued at around £9 million.

One of, if not the most reliable staple of the Black Cats’ squad for the last two seasons or so, it will take a stroke of magic to sign a replacement as steadfast as the Belgian international.

Although the Telegraph are reporting that Arsenal’s Vito Mannone is closing in on a Sunderland switch, Mackems can still hold out hope for a signing of more quality.

Jeroen Zoet has impressed during his latest days in the Eredivisie on loan at RKC Waalwijk from PSV Eindhoven and has made almost two dozen appearances for the Dutch Under-21 side.

The Daily Mail’s David Kent has also alleged of Di Canio’s interest in the 22-year-old who, at three years younger than Mannone, holds far more promise and arguably more valuable experience.

Not to speak too ill of Mannone, who had a mixed period on loan to Hull City two seasons ago, but having played understudy to not only Wojciech Szczesny but Lukasz Fabianski at the Emirates Stadium, the Italian would be a considerable fall from the standards set by Mignolet.

Coming off the back of a very prolific season with AZ Alkmaar, Jozy Altidore has once again been linked with a return to English football, and Sunderland have popped up as a party most interested.

Speaking to NASN (h/t Sky Sports) regarding a move back to the Premier League, the USA international recently stated:

It is a fantastic league, anyone will tell you that.

If you look at everything, the Premier League is probably the biggest league in the world. Everybody knows that and it would be a pleasure to play in a league like that again.

Altidore previously spent a mixed spell with Hull City, but failed to find any prolific scoring form. However, at just 23 years of age, the forward has more than enough time to test himself once more and could be prepared for another attempt with good experience under his belt.

Although Steven Fletcher’s place in the team looks safe once the Scotsman is fit, Danny Graham’s future at Sunderland is somewhat more uncertain, with the striker having failed to score in his first 13 outings for the Black Cats.

Should Altidore come to the northeast, it could signal a change in tactic under Di Canio, who may choose to field a two-man strike partnership as opposed to the fairly fruitless lone striker strategy which has taken precedence for the past few years.

As one of the most exciting prospects emerging from Argentina right now, Gino Peruzzi would be a fine capture for Sunderland should the right-back choose to leave Velez Sarsfield this summer.

Earlier this week, TV Publica (h/t Goal.com) reported Velez vice-president Julio Baldomar as saying that negotiations between the two parties are “very advanced.”

What’s more, general manager of the Argentine outfit, Christian Bassedas, spent three years as a player at Newcastle and is alleged by the same source as encouraging Peruzzi towards completing a move to the northeast.

Although Craig Gardner has done an admirable job at right-back in the last season-and-a-half, he and Phil Bardsley may not quite be of the standard that Di Canio would like to expect of his new side.

As a result, Peruzzi’s signing is one to have appeared as genuinely plausible for the Black Cats in recent weeks, and the 21-year-old is certainly a player for Stadium of Light inhabitants to get excited about.

It will likely only become apparent just how much Sunderland are going to miss Simon Mignolet once the new season begins, but one can bet that it won’t be by a small amount.

A real problem area for the side right now, recent weeks have also seen Celtic’s Fraser Forster linked with a move southward, according to the Daily Record.

As previously mentioned (see first slide), Vito Mannone looks set to put pen to paper over a deal at the Stadium of Light, but until a deal is done, Black Cats can dream of more.

Last season saw Forster win not only the Scottish Premier League Save of the Season award, but also keep the most clean sheets in the Scottish top flight as well as being voted his club’s Players’ Player of the Season.

Having already spent five years at Newcastle United, Forster’s signature could have that extra bit of spice were it to come off, but it all seems quite unlikely at this stage.

Already with knowledge of the areas and gradually creeping into the English ranks, the 25-year-old could well be a savvy replacement for Mignolet, but Neil Lennon would likely be aghast to the idea of losing his No. 1.

Somewhat of a shock name to appear on the Di Canio shortlist, it seems the Italian may once again use his Serie A pull in order to sanction a deal for Palermo’s Abel Hernandez.

Having been relegated from Italy’s top tier last season, Palermo could well be forced into selling some of their finer assets, a category the 22-year-old may be deemed to fall into.

The Uruguayan was largely used as a substitute by the Rosanero last season, but more recently netted four goals in his sole 2013 Confederations Cup appearance, albeit against Tahiti.

With some blistering pace at his disposal, Hernandez could well be the ideal strike partner for Steven Fletcher at Sunderland next term, and talkSPORT have reported that a move could be on the cards.

Presumably available for a reduced fee due to Palermo’s situation, Hernandez not only has great potential but a very decent sell-on value given his young age.