Sunderland Nation

Sunderland sign four on Transfer Deadline Day - as it happened

It was a busy transfer deadline day for Sunderland, although no established striker was signed. Again.

Michael Graham

Sunderland sign Ahmed Abdullahi of Gent
Sunderland sign Ahmed Abdullahi of Gent / IMAGO / Belga

Sunderland are navigating a hectic transfer deadline day as they attempt to turn a brilliant start into a Championship promotion push.

Strikers are on the agenda, but midfield and defensive reinforcements are also expected.

We will attempt to keep you updated here with all the news, rumours, signings and scarf pics as they happen.

1:19am: Ahmed Abdullahi makes it four

Sunderland have confirmed their final signing of the summer transfer window, with 20-year-old striker Ahmed Abdullahi signing from Gent for an undisclosed fee.

Abdullahi has signed a four-year deal with an option for another year.

Kristjaan Speakman suggested that while he will be given time to adapt, he Ahmed Abdullahi would also join the first team squad immediately.

“We are delighted to welcome Ahmed to Sunderland," Speakman said. "He is a natural centre forward, who enjoys playing in central areas, in addition to being an excellent finisher. He has an impressive goalscoring record at youth level and he recently stepped up into Gent’s senior team.

"We will give him time to settle and support him in that process, but he will bring immediate competition to our attacking line and we look forward to seeing him grow with us throughout the season and beyond.”

12:49am: Samed signs

Sunderland have confirmed their third and probably final new arrival of deadline day with Ghana international Salis Abdul Samed joining on a season-long loan from Lens.

“We are delighted to welcome Sallis to Sunderland," Speakman said. "He’s a defensive midfielder player, who is disciplined in and out of possession.

"He is a different profile within our midfield, and we believe he will relish the battles that come with playing in a league like the Sky Bet Championship. Sallis’ experiences in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League will stand him in good stead, as we support him in transitioning to English football.”

12:32am: 'Incredibly talented footballer' Milan Aleksic signs

Sunderland have now confirmed their second signing of deadline day with Serbian Milan Aleksic signing on his 19th birthday.

The central midfielder is something of a coup for Sunderland, although Speakman has warned patience will be required.

“Milan is an incredibly talented young player, who is on the fringe of national team selection," he said

"We appreciate his creativity and versatility but understand that we’ll need to be patient as he adapts to a new country and a new Club.

"Although we will not rush his involvement, his progress to date and talent means that we firmly believe he can become an important player for Sunderland in the future.

"Attracting a talent like Milan underlines our progress as a Club and our continued track record in nurturing talent in an elite environment, which is a testament to our staff behind the scenes at the Academy of Light.”

12:02am: Sunderland confirm Mepham arrival

Sunderland have finally sprung to life and confirmed Chris Mepham their first official signing of deadline day.

The defender has signed on loan from Bournemouth.

Speaking about the deal, Kristjaan Speakman said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris to Sunderland.

"This is an area we wanted to strengthen before the deadline and Chris has shown that he can play at this level and beyond. He has demonstrated an ability to perform consistently throughout his career and we are confident he will take this move in his stride.

"In addition to the defensive qualities he will bring to our defence, he will also add experience. This will be invaluable on the field and in the dressing room.”

11:09pm: Adbul Samed loan confirmed by Lens

Sunderland are still weirdly silent, but Lens have confirmed Silas Abdul Samed has joined.

22:58: Aleksic deal appears done

Sunderland have still not officially announced any incoming deals, but they have been beaten to the puch for a scarf pic.

It seems clear that Milan Aleksic has signed, as per the Serbian media.

Milan Aleksic Sunderland
Milan Aleksic Sunderland scarf picture / mozzartsport.com

9:45pm: Fofana deal still alive?

As we broke earlier, Sunderland were exploring the possibility of signing Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana on loan from Chelsea.

That deal looked unlikely earlier amid Bundesliga interest, but the window in Germany is now closed.

The Telegraph now report the deal is still a possibility, with Mike McGrath tweeting: "Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana could be a late mover with Sunderland willing to move for the Ivory Coast international.

"Has not been easy for players to leave Chelsea today and clock is ticking on a loan being completed."

9:31pm: Speakman explains Triantis departure

Sunderland have now confirmed that Nectar Triantis has re-joined Hibs on loan, and Kristjaan Speakman says the Australian has been challenged with stepping up a level while he is there.

“Nectar thoroughly enjoyed his time at Hibernian last season, and it played an important role in his continued development.

"Upon returning to Easter Road, his challenge is to now become a leading player in their team. He will be entering a familiar environment, and we hope this will allow him to maintain a high level of performance throughout the season ahead of a return to Sunderland next summer to challenge for a place in our team.”

9:20pm: Hibs confirm Triantis deal

Nothing official yet from Sunderland, but Hibs have all but confirmed they have re-signed Nectar Triantis on loan.

8:51pm: Sunderland not ready to give up on Pembele

Although he has been an undoubted flop so far, Sunderland sporting director says Pembele retains their trust and just needs to play games to develop.

“Timothée’s availability last season represented an opportunity for us to acquire a player with vast potential," he said. "We moved quickly to secure his signature but understood that he needed time to recover from an injury that was preceded by another lengthy spell out of action.

"Although he hasn’t yet managed to force his way into the team, he is now fully fit and has trained consistently.

"The next step is for him to play regularly in a competitive senior environment, and we believe this move will allow him to do that before returning to Sunderland next summer.”

8:48pm: Pembele completes loan move

Deals are starting to get confirmed thick and fast now. Timothee Pembele has been confirmed as a new loan signing by La Havre.

8:20pm: Pierre departs

Sunderland have confirmed the departure of Pierre Ekwah, who has joined St Etienne on loan.

The Black Cats will reportedly bag a €1m loan fee for the midfielder, while St Etienne have an option to make the deal permanent for €7m.

Speaking about the departure, Kristjaan Speakman said: “Following Pierre’s arrival at Sunderland, he has developed from an Under-21 player to become a Championship midfielder, and we are proud of the role we have played in his progression.

"The midfield is an incredibly competitive area in our squad and this agreement represents a positive outcome for the Club and Pierre, who expressed his desire to take this opportunity and challenge himself in Ligue 1. We wish him well and look forward to revisiting his situation next summer.” 

8:07pm: Nectar Triantis to return to Hibs

As per The Scotsman, Sunderland defender/midfielder Nectar Triantis is return to Hibs for the season.

The Australian had a solid six-month stay at Easter Road last season.

7:45pm Sunderland reject Premier League offer for youngster

Sunderland have turned down an offer of more then £2m plus add-ons for young winger Tom Watson from Brighton.

The Seaguls raided Sunderland's academy to sign Josh Robertson on the last dead=line day, and they were hoping to repeat the trick again today.

Sunderland have given a firm rejection of the bid though, and the 18-year-old is in the squad that will travel to Portsmouth on Saturday.

7:02pm: Sunderland fail in Orban bid

Sunderland's ambitious bid to bring Gift Orban to Wearside has failed although no details yet on how or why.

A deal for the Nigerian was progressing well, but it will not be happening and he was named in Lyon's squad for their game tonight.

Sunderland have also missed out on David Fofana, with the Chelsea striker opting to move to the Bundesliga instead.

4:13pm: Sunderland striker deal progressing well

Sunderland Nation understands there is a good chance now that Gift Orban will sign for Sunderland today.

The Lyon striker is keen to join Sunderland and is waiting for the Black Cats to finalise the deal with the French club.

2:27pm: Pierre Ekwah undergoing St Etienne medical

One outgoing we are expecting is Pierre Ekwah, who will join St Etienne on a loan deal with a €7m option to buy.

French reports claim he is currently in France undergoing his medical.

2:20pm: Price named for Ahmed Abdullahi?

As per journalist Sascha Tavolieri, Sunderland have offered €2m (around £1.7m) for Gent striker Abdullahi.

However, there is competition from another club and Gent are worried about leaving themselves short if they sell the Nigerian.

1:41pm: New striker name into the fray?

Ahmed Abdullahi - Sunderland bid
Sunderland reportedly in for Ahmed Abdullahi of Gent / IMAGO / Belga

Sunderland 'have a bid in' for young Gent striker Ahmed Abdullahi according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 19-year-old Nigerian has been prolific in the Belgian third tier, although yet to get any senior career really going.

Would presumably be a player for the developmental squad.

1:26pm: Luis Hemir shock move to Italian giants?

If you wanted any evidence that anything can happen on transfer deadline day, there are reports that Luis Hemir is heading to Italian giants Juventus on loan.

Juventus were keen on Hemir when Sunderland signed him, and if Record is to be believed, that interest has remained.

They say he will travel to Turin today to sign on loan with an option to make it permanent next summer.

12:34pm: The BBC have reported a little more details abut why Sunderland have moved quickly for Chris Mepham.

They claim the deal has been done because the ankle injury to Aji Alese is more serious than first feared, which is obviously a huge shame.

10:48am: Sunderland have agreed a loan deal for Bournemouth centre-back Chris Mepham, according to Sky Sports.

The towering Welsh international is an experienced player with nearly 100 Championship games under his belt as well as 61 in the Premier League, and he had been a top target for Sheffield United this month.

However, it is Sunderland who have apparently pounced, agreeing a straight loan deal with no option or obligation to buy, as per Sky Sports’ Marc McAdam.

The 26-year-old is heading to Sunderland for a medical.

9:57am: Sunderland's pursuit of Gift Orban may be helped along by former Crystal Palace and Manchester United forward Wilfried Zaha, who is on his way to Lyon.

David Datro Fofana - Sunderland target
Sunderland looking at Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana / IMAGO / PA Images

9:49am: Sunderland are working on a potential deal to sign Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana on loan as they work on multiple fronts to secure a striker.

The Ivorian is one of many Chelsea players who the club will attempt to move out due to their bloated squad, and Sunderland are keen to bring him to Wearside.

However, Sunderland Nation understands it would be either Datro Fofana or Gift Orban rather than trying to do deals for both.

The 21-year-old has had very little opportunity at Chelsea since arriving in a big-money deal from Molde last year, although he did have a relatively successful loan spell in the Premier League with Burnley.

Sunderland are determined to remain ambitious in their seemingly endless quest for striker reinforcements, and Orban is the top target. However, they are keen to have contingencies in place should that deal prove out of reach.

They are not alone in tracking Datro Fofana, though, with a number of other Championship clubs keeping tabs on the situation.

Gift Orban Sunderland target
Sunderland to attempt ambitious Gift Orban signing / IMAGO / PanoramiC

6:00am: Sunderland will launch an audacious attempt to sign prolific Lyon youngster Gift Orban to finally solve their striker woes, Sunderland Nation understands.

Orban, 22, scored for fun for both Stabaek and Gent before joining Lyon in January for a reported €14million, although it has not quite worked out for the Nigerian in France.

He scored just three goals in 16 games, although he was restricted to just 583 minutes of football as he struggled for opportunity.

Lyon have since strengthened their forward line again with the signing of Georges Mikautadze from Metz, and that means Orban has been told he can go and play elsewhere next season.

The Sunderland recruitment team have built exceptionally strong links within the French market, and they are confident they can pull off what would be a significant coup and sign Orban on loan.

To do that, they will have to see off interest from Burnley and Premier League Southampton, although the Black Cats’ ability to offer immediate and regular football and the respect Regis Le Bris commands in French football are seen as trump cards to play.  

Although Sunderland will make Orban their top target, there are believed to be others options being left open in case they cannot pull off the ambitious swoop.

Whatever happens, it will be a seriously hectic transfer deadline day at Sunderland, with Salis Abdul Samed and Milan Aleksic also set to arrive.

Sunderland have also been linked in the French press with a move for PSG midfielder Ayman Kari, with the 19-year-old having worked with Le Bris at Lorient last season.

Timothee Pembele, meanwhile, is in France to finalise a loan move to La Havre, and he could be one of five loan departures, including Pierre Ekwah.

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Michael Graham
MICHAEL GRAHAM