Sunderland have received a boost in their pursuit of Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, according to Michael Graham of Sports Illustrated.
The Manchester United winger has reportedly asked the club to allow him to re-join Sunderland on loan until the end of the season. The Ivorian did not play a minute in his side’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Newport County at the weekend, with youngster Omari Forson coming on ahead of him.
Diallo spent the whole of last season on loan at the Stadium of Light and enjoyed a hugely successful campaign. He featured 37 times in the Championship, scoring 13 goals and delivering three assists.
The 21-year-old has missed most of this season for United due to an injury sustained in a pre-season friendly with Arsenal. He returned to the squad for the first time against Nottingham Forest on the 30th of December but has not featured in the two games after that.
A deal is not done as of yet, and there remain complications on the financial side of things. The Red Devils want the majority of the player’s salary covered, but the Championship side are currently unwilling to pay the amount being asked. They are happy to take on some of the salary, however, and are trying to negotiate the current asking price down.
Erik ten Hag’s side are on the verge of sending another winger out on loan in Facundo Pellistri, with the Uruguayan set to join Granada until the end of the season. That will leave the Dutchman’s side short on options on the winger, with Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford the only senior options available.
There is still a chance Diallo stays at Old Trafford until the end of the season, but Michael Beale’s side are growing in the hope that they can bring the winger back after his heroics last year. Sunderland currently sit seventh in the table and face a trip to Middlesbrough next on Sunday.
Writer’s View
Diallo would change things if he was to re-sign for Sunderland within this window, and he could be the catalyst to push them towards the promotion spots. The winger has talent in abundance, and it will be a surprise in the end if United allow him to leave considering he could be a real asset to their side in the second half of the season.
The team from Wearside will be hoping the Red Devils don’t pick up any injuries between now and deadline day that will force them to rethink sending Diallo on loan.