Sunderland’s Ambitious January: From the Ta Bi Hijack to a £40m Pursuit
The January transfer window has reached a fever pitch for Sunderland AFC. Following their successful return to the Premier League, the Black Cats are proving they have no intention of simply making up the numbers. In the span of just 24 hours, the club has finalized a controversial “hijack” and set its sights on a record-breaking deal that would signal a new era for the Stadium of Light.
The Hijack of Jocelin Ta Bi
The headline news of the week was the confirmed signing of 20-year-old Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi. The move was a masterclass in swift recruitment by Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman.
For much of the month, Ta Bi was widely expected to join Celtic. The Scottish champions reportedly had a verbal agreement in place, but Sunderland moved decisively to steal the player away for a fee of approximately £3.5 million. Ta Bi, who has spent the last year impressing in Israel with Hapoel Petah Tikva, has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract on Wearside. Described by the club as a “dynamic and explosive” attacker, he represents the high-potential profile that manager Régis Le Bris has built his tactical system around.
The £40m Target: Abdul Fatawu
With Ta Bi in the building, Sunderland is now turning its attention to an even bigger prize. Reports from GiveMeSport and Football Insider indicate that the club is preparing a move for Leicester City’s star winger, Abdul Fatawu.
The 21-year-old Ghanaian has been valued at £40 million in previous windows, a figure that would shatter Sunderland’s current transfer record. Fatawu was a key interest for the club last summer, with reports suggesting a bid of £28 million was rejected. Now, with Leicester facing financial scrutiny and a potential battle for promotion back to the top flight, Sunderland believes there is a window of opportunity.
Fatawu has been a standout performer in the Championship, providing the kind of creative spark that Le Bris desperately needs. While Sunderland currently sits in the top half of the Premier League table, their attacking output has stalled in recent weeks, making a high-quality addition on the right wing a priority.
A Tactical Necessity
The urgency for these signings stems from a growing injury crisis and international commitments. Key winger Bertrand Traoré is currently sidelined with an injury sustained during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and Chemsdine Talbi is also away on international duty.
Furthermore, the club has seen several departures this month. Timur Tutierov has left on loan for Exeter City, and several squad players like Jay Matete and Joe Anderson have been moved on to balance the books. This has left the first-team squad thin in wide areas, exactly where Ta Bi and potentially Fatawu are designed to slot in.
Looking Ahead
As Sunderland prepares to face Crystal Palace this weekend, the focus remains on the boardroom as much as the pitch. The signing of Ta Bi showed that Sunderland can compete with European giants like Celtic in the market. If they can successfully land Fatawu, it will be a definitive statement that the Black Cats are ready to challenge the established “big” clubs for European qualification.
With the deadline of February 2 looming, the next few days will be critical in determining if Sunderland can turn these rumors into a reality that shifts the balance of power in the North East.