Sunderland have been linked with Azerbaijan international defender Bahlul Mustafazada as reported by Azerisport via HITC Sport.
The report claims Phil Parkinson could make the twenty-two-year-old his first signing with preliminary talks already started over a January move.
Mustafazada was heavily linked with a summer move to Glasgow giants Celtic. However, after being offered a trial at Parkhead, he stayed in Azerbaijan and signed for Sabah FK on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Gabala.
The defender has four full caps for the Azerbaijan national team to his name and fifteen for their under-21s. He also has some European experience and is considered an outstanding talent in his homeland.
The Shields Gazette is speculating Celtic could still be interested with Rangers also keeping tabs on the situation. They also quote the player confirming he does have the ambition to play abroad when asked to comment on the rumours.
According to HITC, it looks like Sunderland are currently in the driving seat to land his signature should he decide to make a move in the new year.
Our View
We are not going to pretend to be an expert on the virtues of talented young defenders in Azerbaijan.
However, the report does clearly show Sunderland maybe casting their net far and wide to get the quality of player Parkinson needs to engineer a League One promotion challenge.
After last night’s defeat to Leicester City Under-21s, it certainly looks like his squad could do with a major overhaul in January, and there is likely to be loads of gossip between now and then over who the Black Cats could be in for, the trick for supporters will be to work out what are the genuine rumours.
