Championship side Preston North End have received a major transfer boost as it is reported that Sunderland are unlikely to sign target Hammarby centre-back Nathaniel Adjei in the January window, according to the Sunderland Echo.
Ryan Lowe’s side are reportedly keen on the 21-year-old defender and likely to move for the player when the winter window opens but could face competition from several clubs in a potential transfer tug-of-war. The Sun reported that Preston North End, Sunderland and Middlesbrough were all interested in a potential loan deal, with a permanent deal understood to cost an estimated £3 million. However, it has been revealed that Sunderland are unlikely to be one of the clubs battling for his signature.
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, along with Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers are understood to be keen on securing the player, with Leeds United also monitoring the situation.
The player is under contract until 2026 and has appeared 21 times in the league as Hammarby finished seventh in the Allsvenskan. He played a key role in a strong defence that kept six clean sheets. The season in Sweden has concluded until April, meaning that the January window will take place during the off season for Hammarby providing ample opportunity for a deal to be concluded.
Writer’s View
Often when players are being linked with clubs, “big names” are thrown into the mix to try and generate more buzz around the player. It might be that Sunderland just made a call to check his availability, as they will do with hundreds of players as they decide on their targets. Or he may have been a more serious option and the club don’t want to get involved with another transfer battle especially with the amount of clubs reportedly swarming around the player as it stands. Whether Preston can get a deal over the line, remains to be seen.