REGIS LE BRIS has warned that Sunderland will be leaving themselves “on the edge” if they fail to sign a forward ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.
The Black Cats have spent the whole of this month pursuing attacking targets, but with the transfer deadline now just a few days away, they have been unable to bring in a new forward.
Talks over Ben Brereton Diaz and Tom Cannon broke down when the attacking duo both opted for moves to Sheffield United, and while Matija Frigan remains a key target, Sunderland officials have been unable to strike a deal with the Croatian’s current club, Westerlo.
As a result, there are growing fears that the window could close without the Black Cats having added to their attacking ranks, but Le Bris has admitted that would leave the club in a dangerous position heading into the final three months of the season.
While Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda have both impressed this term, the departure of both Aaron Connolly and Nazariy Rusyn this month means they are currently the only attacking options within the squad.
“We need good quality,” admitted Le Bris. “That is very important, but it is very clear that, today and for a long period before, the forward positions are our weakest positions.
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“It is just a question of numbers there. If we don’t recruit a player in these positions, then we will be on the edge because every time we got an injury, we wouldn’t have players at the same level on the bench who could come in.
“We have players to develop, but if our main goal is to be in the top two, top four, to compete with the best teams, then it is not a period to talk about developing players.
“Earlier in the season, it was possible to develop players through the pre-season period and the first games of the league, when every team are searching for their best level.
“Now, it is like a sprint. So, we need a very complete team, with two players in every position. That is the case in the middle, I think, and it is the case for our backline.
“But it is not the case for the strikers and wingers. We can manage with versatile positions, but in the final analysis, it is clear that we have less depth in these positions.”
While Le Bris has stated he does not really feel Sunderland need an out-and-out ‘number nine’, it is clear he is concerned about a lack of depth right across the forward positions.
Ideally, he would like to acquire a player who could play anywhere across the front three, but he concedes it might require two signings to ensure the Black Cats are fully stocked in all forward areas.
“It could be one player who can fill a few different roles,” he said. “That is probably the best-case scenario. Or it could be two to fill the different attacking positions we have been talking about.”
