Sunderland have approached Sporting CP regarding a transfer for English attacker Marcus Edwards.
According to Record in Portugal (record.pt): “With Alisson Santos near the entrance door, (Marcus) Edwards is close to the exit door, although Sporting struggles with some difficulties to put him at a time when the market closure is already around the corner.
“But the process may soon move forward, since, as record found out, in the last few hours both Sunderland and Burnley sought with the SAD to understand the conditions for a possible deal by the English.”
The report continued: “The first of the two British emblems cited is the one that started the most exploratory conversations for the player.”
Black Cats have been active in the market
Sunderland have been active in the January transfer window sealing a loan deal for French Midfielder Enzo Le Fee from Roma.
The midfielder previously played under Black Cats head coach Regis Le Bris at Lorient and re-joined his former coach on Wearside with a view to a permanent deal if Sunderland are promoted.
Per Fabrizio Romano: “Enzo Le Fee joins Sunderland on loan deal with buy option from AS Roma. €23m clause becomes mandatory if #SAFC get promoted.”
Sunderland also chased Leicester City striker Tom Cannon earlier in the window but the 22-year-old striker instead joined Sheffield United.
Per Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie on X: “Sheff United sign Tom Cannon from Leicester. Sunderland were interested but preferred a loan with obligation similar to Enzo Le Fée signing.”
Over the past week Sunderland’s striker search has continued with Ajax striker Chuba Akpom linked but Romano dismissed a move to Sunderland.
He posted to his X account: “Sunderland are working to bring in new player… But it won’t be Chuba Akpom from Ajax despite links, as there are other clubs in concrete talks.”
Sunderland can get Edwards’ career back on track
Edwards started his career in Tottenham’s academy. Sunderland are no stranger to developing Spurs’ wingers with both Jack Clarke and Romain Mundle thriving at Sunderland in recent years.
Edwards joined Sporting after a successful three years at Vitoria de Guimaraes and enjoyed a successful first three seasons at Sporting contributing 38 goals and assists.
However, minutes have been hard to come by for the English winger this term with only 106 minutes played in Liga Portugal during the 2024/25 season.
Sunderland’s transfer model includes signing young stars with Premier League potential as well as signing players whose career has came to a stand still after they were once touted with high potential.
Patrick Roberts is a prime example of this. His career was in limbo when he signed for Sunderland back in 2022, since then Roberts has gone on to play 125 times for the Black Cats.
As well as Roberts, Alex Pritchard, Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire also thrived at Sunderland after struggling elsewhere in their careers.
Pritchard contributed nine goals and 24 assists in three seasons on Wearside, Maguire also spent three seasons at the Stadium of Light scoring 28 times and assisting a further 22 goals, whilst McGeady registered 36 goals and 35 assists in five seasons.