Sunderland searched high and wide for a new striker, whereas Middlesbrough already had their feet up.
Ins: Joleon Lescott, Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson.
Outs: Patrick van Aanholt
Best arrival: Bryan Oviedo (Everton)
Sunderland’s Bryan Oviedo in action (right)
Sunderland are said to have paid around £5 million for the Costa Rican as Van Aanholt’s replacement and, based on Saturday’s showing against the Dutchman’s new club Crystal Palace, there certainly wasn’t £9 million difference between the pair. To those out of the loop, Ovideo might well have been the £14 million man and, with Lescott and Gibson either in or fast-approaching their thirties respectively, the left-back is the certainly the better long-term investment.
Where are they still short? Up front
Victor Anichebe’s injury has left Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini as Sunderland’s only recognised senior strikers and prompted manager David Moyes to seek replacements here, there and everywhere to no avail. The free agent market could be an option for the Scot, although it is very much slim-pickings.
Another club’s signing who would have been a good fit: Rudy Gestede (Middlesbrough)
Middlesbrough’s Rudy Gestede in action (right)
Few strikers actually arrived at Premier League clubs this winter, perhaps due to the premium that usually comes attached to those tasked with scoring goals. Of those who did, Gestede is perhaps the best equipped to replace Anichebe like-for-like and cost less (£6.5 million) than the Mackems’ final bid for Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa. Unfortunately for Moyes, by the time the Nigerian got injured, Gestede was already a Boro player.
Overall business rating: 4/10
Good enough to… Repeat their usual trick of last-gasp survival. However, neither Sunderland or their fans will be under any illusions that this will be their most impressive escape yet. Moyes may have struggled to get all of the players he wanted – perhaps through little fault of his own – but he at least added three that he knows will want work for him, which could go a long way.
Report: Sunderland’sdeadline day enquiry for Manchester City man rejected
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