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Sunderland have seen numerous players coming and going on Wearside during the summer transfer window as the Black Cats managed to end their time in League One by winning promotion back to the Championship at the end of last season.

One big name who brought his time at the Stadium of Light to an end this summer is Aiden McGeady.

After making 149 appearances for the Black Cats across all competitions during his time at the club, the winger found the net 36 times and delivered 34 assists along the way. The Irishman now finds himself in Scotland after joining Hibernian on a free transfer.

With still some time left before the summer transfer window closes, this could give Sunderland the chance to bring in a suitable replacement for the 36-year-old.

One name who has been mentioned with a move to the Stadium of Light and who could be an ideal candidate to replace McGeady is Manchester City winger Marlos Moreno.

The Cityzens signed the winger back in 2016 from Colombian side Atletico Nacional. Since then, the 25-year-old has spent time with clubs in Spain, Mexico, Brazil and Belgium whilst out on loan.

With 189 appearances under his belt, the attacker has scored 20 goals and provided 20 assists in the process, highlighting how dangerous he can be in front of goal.

In 32 league appearances with Belgian club KV Kortrijk last season, not only did the City winger end the campaign with the second-highest number of shots (41) in the squad, he also delivered 25 crosses, made 25 interceptions and won the joint-highest number of tackles (38).

Bearing in mind how McGeady racked up 65 crosses in 14 League One matches last season and took 22 shots at goal, this shows that Morelos could offer more of a goal threat than the former Sunderland winger, for whom the 25-year-old would be a suitable replacement.

Praised by journalist Sven Claes for his “wonderful” performances for Lommel during the 2020/21 season, the Colombian could be a very useful prospective addition to Alex Neil’s squad and help the Black Cats to forget about McGeady’s departure.

If the Premier League champions would be willing to let the player leave on loan yet again and test himself in England rather than going abroad once more, a move to Sunderland could benefit all parties.

Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic recently and the USA international could be Eddie Howe’s own version of Sadio Mane at St James’ Park.

The Athletic claimed recently that Newcastle could consider a move for the former Borussia Dortmund man, who has struggled to impose himself on the Premier League since joining the Blues in January 2019.

The 23-year-old has made 115 appearances in total, contributing 25 goals and 18 assists in that time, but was limited to just 13 starts in the top flight last season, which suggests that Thomas Tuchel doesn’t favour him.

Chelsea’s summer signing of Raheem Sterling is only likely to limit his game time further, which could open the door for Newcastle to sign him, and considering Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron managed just three goals in the Premier League between them last season, improvements are needed out wide.

As per FBref, the ninth-most similar player to Pulisic in terms of style of play is Mane, who established himself as a world-class player at Liverpool before his move to Bayern Munich this summer.

The Senegal international hit 120 goals for the Reds in 269 appearances, winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup during his spell with Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Last season saw Pulisic and Mane register extremely similar statistics in terms of expected goals and assists per 90 minutes (0.56 vs 0.57), shot on target percentage (39.3 vs 37.4) and shot-creating actions per 90 (2.3 vs 3.1).

Therefore, with regular game time, it seems as if Pulisic could have the potential to emulate Mane’s level of performance at Liverpool, which would surely make him a quality addition at St James’ Park.

Jurgen Klinsmann was full of praise for Pulisic earlier this year saying:

“The experiences that he has already now under his belt are fantastic: playing in the Champions League at Borussia Dortmund and then moving on to Chelsea and winning it and playing on the highest level week in and week out.”

Pulisic is still only 23 so still has plenty of time to achieve his obvious potential, so Dan Ashworth should definitely look at bringing him in this summer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers want to keep hold of star attacker Pedro Neto this summer amid increasing transfer interest, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Premier League interest

According to a report by 90min, Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been made aware by intermediaries that the 22-year-old could be available at the right price, resulting in their consequent interest.

The Portugal international made just 13 top-flight appearances last season after suffering from a serious knee injury, but the five goals and six assists the campaign before clearly illustrate his ability to perform at the highest level.

The Latest: Jones’ claim

Jones believes Wolves are clear in their stance that they would like to keep Neto at the Molineux this summer, having proven to be a crucial part of Bruno Lage’s setup.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, the transfer insider claimed:

“I don’t think they want to [sell]. I don’t think they want to lose anyone of that quality at this point. They’re aware of interest around him, but ultimately, unless it was a ridiculous amount of money, I just don’t think that they’re going to let him go.”

The Verdict: Keep him at all costs…

With Raul Jimenez only just returning from injury and with Fabio Silva having left the club on loan for the season, Wolves are without an out-and-out striker to rely on.

And Neto has been utilised in versatile roles up top for Lage’s side, alongside Daniel Podence.

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As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the 22-year-old ranks in the 88th percentile for progressive carries, in the 86th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty and in the 84th percentile for shots total, so to lose him from a side already struggling for attacking threat would be devastating.

Previously labelled a ‘huge talent’ by BBC pundit Alan Shearer, it is no wonder the Wanderers are so desperate to keep hold of Neto this summer, given he could prove to be instrumental for the west Midlands side this season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen an opening bid for Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic turned down in the last 48 hours, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Wolves in pole position

The Austrian has been the subject of plenty of interest this summer from the likes of Manchester United, Everton and Brighton, but it’s the Midlands outfit who have emerged as favourites to beat their Premier League competitors and land him.

Wanderers have been in advanced negotiations with the 25-year-old for quite some time and allegedly even agreed personal terms, but they now appear to have suffered a setback after making an official proposal.

The Latest: Kalajdzic bid rejected

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed that Wolves are set to continue talks with Stuttgart over Kalajdzic after having their opening offer knocked back.

“Wolves will be back in contact with Stuttgart for Sasa Kalajdzic after €15m (£12.7m) proposal rejected yesterday.”

The Verdict: Worth another offer

Stuttgart obviously want more to let Kalajdzic leave, and whilst that figure is yet unknown, Wolves should splash the cash and do whatever they need to get it done.

The 6 foot 7 ‘unstoppable’ forward, as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, has some outstanding numbers, having clocked up 60 goal contributions in 96 appearances across his senior career, via Transfermarkt.

Raul Jimenez has only recently returned from injury, so Kalajdzic would provide some excellent competition for the Mexican and give Bruno Lage a welcomed selection headache at Molineux.

Scottish champions Celtic are believed to plotting a fresh approach for St Mirren teenager, Dylan Reid, after the midfielder had previously snubbed a move to Parkhead earlier in the window.

The 17-year-old had opted against joining the Old Firm giants despite a £125k fee having been agreed between the two clubs, although recent reports have suggested that the Glasgow side could well try their luck again to tempt the highly-rated starlet into making the switch.

The suggestion is that the Hoops want to strike a deal before the window closes on Thursday, with the youngster – who has just a year remaining on his existing deal in Paisley – likely to be a part of the development set-up if he is to agree to the move.

Manager Ange Postecoglou has previously confirmed his side’s interest in the highly-rated prospect, with the Scottish Premiership outfit seemingly keen to bolster their youth ranks amid further links to Queen’s Park full-back, Cameron Bruce.

In the case of Reid, the young Scotsman has made just six senior outings for his current side thus far, although the £225k-rated ace has caught the eye in his embryonic first team career, having notably been dubbed “excellent” by manager Stephen Robinson following his first start against Dundee United last season.

Also tipped to be a “special player” by the Buddies’ chief executive, Tony Fitzpatrick, the playmaker has also already come up against Postecoglou’s men in the recent past, playing the full 90 minutes in the goalless draw when the two sides met back in December.

Although a player for the future, the hope at Celtic Park will be that the Scotland U17 international can blossom into a first-team regular over the coming years if he is to finally make the leap before the window is out.

A defensive midfielder by trade, the Kilbirnie-born sensation could well prove to be the long-term heir to current Hoops skipper, Callum McGregor, with the 29-year-old currently lining up in a holding role for the title-chasing outfit.

The youth product has risen the ranks to become a key figure for the Glasgow side, notably taking on the captaincy following the departure of former teammate Scott Brown at the end of the 2020/21 season.

The 46-cap, Scotland international – who once enjoyed a promising loan stint at Notts County – has racked up 382 appearances for the club to date since making his debut back in 2014, scoring 57 goals and providing 68 assists in what has been a trophy-laden spell.

Previously lauded as “tactically brilliant” by former boss Brendan Rodgers, the 5 foot 10 menace has proven himself a hugely reliable and versatile figure for the club, having thrived after taking on a deeper role following Postecoglou’s arrival.

An all-round asset, McGregor is no doubt a shining example for any young player to follow, with the hope being that Reid can emulate his rise if he is to make the move in the near future.

Everton have been gifted an injury boost as Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been spotted back in training.

The Lowdown: Six weeks out

It was reported early last month that Calvert-Lewin would miss the opening six weeks of the Premier League season with a knee injury.

Frank Lampard has had to play the likes of winger Anthony Gordon as a false nine, while striker Neal Maupay joined from Brighton and Hove Albion late on in the transfer window.

The Latest: In training

The Goodison Park outfit’s official Twitter page started posting some images of players in training on Thursday afternoon, with the likes of Conor Coady and Nathan Patterson shown.

They also posted some training images of Calvert-Lewin, with the caption: ‘Back with the lads!’

The Verdict: Big boost

It is certainly a big boost for the Toffees supporters to see Calvert-Lewin back in training, even if he is simply out running on the grass rather than engaging in full-contact efforts.

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In truth, the Merseyside club have struggled to score goals so far this season, with just four goals scored in their opening six top-flight matches.

Before another injury-hit season last term, Calvert-Lewin reached double figures for goals in the Premier League in each of the last two campaigns (Transfermarkt), and so the key for Lampard’s side will be getting him back fit and up to speed as soon as possible, while the Englishman will be hoping to string a run of games together ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Liverpool opened their Champions League group stage campaign in the worst possible way last week, as they were humbled 4-1 by Napoli in Naples.

Outfought from start to finish, they were deserved losers and it compounded what has been a tough start to the season for manager Jurgen Klopp.

However, he now has the chance to redeem himself as his side welcomes Ajax to Anfield in a battle between two European heavyweights.

With Saturday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers postponed due to the unfortunate passing of Queen Elizabeth II, tonight will be their return to football since their last game in this competition.

This slight break however has not helped the German out with regards to any injuries, and he offered the following update on Andy Robertson’s fitness and if he would be available to play the Dutch giants:

“Injured”, he bluntly labelled the Scotsman. “Robbo is now not 100 percent. Very late, 93rd or whatever minute, he felt it – actually he only felt it the next day.

“But he’s out for at least [until], I would say, after the international break.”

The last thing that Klopp needed was to further compound his injury crisis, but to see Robertson ruled out for the foreseeable future will be a hammer blow to his side.

Especially considering how Kostas Tsimikas has started the season, creating no big chances in his five Premier League appearances as well as losing possession 6.0 times a game.

They will miss the creativity provided by Robertson, who last season assisted 15 times in all competitions.

It is this attacking threat that they are in such desperate need of, as the numerous injuries to the midfield has left an ever-growing reliance upon the magic of Mohammed Salah and Luis Diaz.

This injury news will come as another sucker punch for Klopp, who can’t seem to catch a break at the moment.

The German will be one of the few in the football community vying for the international break and will want to get through the fixtures in the way with as little damage done as possible.

He will be furious that another of his players has broken down with an injury.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in James Maddison ahead of the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

In a Q&A on The Athletic, journalist Chris Waugh has revealed that the Magpies remain keen on the English central midfielder as Eddie Howe eyes a renewed swoop for the gem.

The reporter has claimed that the club already have their eye on the next window with a view to improving their attack and the former Norwich City man is a player they are interested in signing, alongside the likes of Jack Harrison and Anthony Gordon.

This comes after the Magpies reportedly had two offers turned down by Leicester City during the summer transfer window, before ultimately failing to sign a winger or midfielder.

Big Miguel Almiron upgrade

Whilst Maddison is an attacking midfielder by trade, the Foxes gem has played out on the left and right wing during his time in the Premier League and could come in as a big upgrade on Miguel Almiron.

Newcastle do not play with an out-and-out no.10 in their 4-3-3 set-up and pushing the Englishman out on the right could allow him to play a significant role at the top end of the pitch, instead of being distracted by defensive duties in an eight role.

Almiron has, quite simply, not done enough in the final third since the start of last season. As an attacking player, the Paraguay international has offered very little as he has produced two goals and zero assists in his last 37 Premier League appearances for the Magpies.

The 28-year-old has averaged less than one chance created per game in that time, providing 0.7 key passes per match this term after managing 0.6 in 2021/22.

These statistics show that he does not offer much of a goal threat and lacks creativity out wide, which is why Maddison, who journalist Josh Bunting dubbed “unstoppable” on top form, could come in as a big upgrade on him as he excels in both of those areas.

The Leicester man enjoyed a stunning 2021/22 campaign in the Premier League as he racked up 12 goals and eight assists – creating 1.4 chances per outing. This season, he has scored three goals and provided one assist in six matches, whilst making 2.2 key passes per game.

Therefore, the £110k-per-week gem could win matches for Newcastle with his contributions in the final third, as he has proven himself to be a difference-maker at this level. Whereas, Almiron has proven that he does not have the quality to win games for the Toon on even a semi-regular basis.

Kenneth Zohore’s time at West Brom has truly proven to be a disaster and Steve Bruce must look to get rid of the striker as he continues to steal a wage at the Hawthorns.

Expectations were high when former Baggies boss Slaven Bilic paid £8m to sign the Danish forward from Cardiff City in 2019 but he has struggled to ever establish himself as a regular goalscorer with the club, hitting just five goals in 23 appearances.

He is clearly not fancied at the Hawthorns, as he spent the 2020/21 season on loan with Millwall, where he also failed to impress, managing just three goals in 19 outings for the Lions.

Last season saw the 28-year-old manage only 22 minutes of Championship action under both Valerian Ismael and Bruce, which emphasises that he is well and truly surplus to requirements in the Midlands.

Even this season, which has seen the Baggies struggle so much in front of goal, as they sit in 21st despite an impressive xG score which ranks them top of the expected goals table, Bruce has still not called on Zohore.

The Dane is clearly an outcast at the club and it seems remarkable that he wasn’t moved on during the summer, as it now seems likely that he will depart on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

During his time with Cardiff City, Neil Warnock labelled Zohore as “lazy” and unfortunately for the Baggies, this is the player they have seen for the past three seasons, rather than the one that hit 21 goals and registered ten assists in two seasons for the Bluebirds.

As well as the £8m transfer fee, West Brom have been paying the Danish striker £22.5k per week for the past 165 weeks, resulting in an added £3,712,500 in wages.

This means that the Baggies have essentially wasted £11.7m on Zohore, as he looks likely to leave the club for nothing having made very little impact during his three years at the Hawthorns.

Sunderland took their second draw on the bounce this weekend after failing to dominate at the Stadium of Light against Preston North End, and there is a glaring issue that could be a big contribution to their struggle to win games over their last two outings in the Championship.

The Black Cats are currently without a striker as both Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms are currently injured, and their absence has reflected in the team’s results as of late, leading to Sunderland’s fall from their position in the playoffs to seventh after the draw yesterday.

As a result, finding a solution to their issues up front will need to come fast for Tony Mowbray as his team will be hosting again on Tuesday night when they welcome Blackpool to the Stadium of Light, and there is one player the manager could lean on to provide more creativity in the final third.

Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo has now made four substitute appearances for the North-East club since joining in the summer and has already shown glimpses of his potential and ability despite not being picked in the starting line-up.

The 20-year-old talent who was hailed “unbelievable” by former teammate Daniel James, has made one key pass per game and is completing 100% of his passes in his own half, even though he has only been seen for an average of 24 minutes per appearance so far.

Last season, the young winger was on loan with Rangers and although he only made 13 appearances, he managed to score three goals in the Scottish Premiership when given the opportunity to play in the team.

His statistics from that campaign, where he registered one dribble per match would remarkably place him third in the Mackems’ squad for that statistic, suggesting he’d offer something very few others in the squad can provide.

Possessing an electric and dazzling set of skills in the final third, now is the time for Mowbray to unleash Diallo in the team as it is not only the golden opportunity for the £28k-per-week ace to prove his worth to the boss, but he is one of the only available attacking threats left in the team with experience of playing in the forward line.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see how the Black Cats manager sets up on Tuesday against Blackpool, and whether he will give Diallo the chance to make an impact on the side as he could have the positive influence Sunderland needs right now to take all three points from the clash.