Sunderland are reportedly keen on Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger.
Julian Baumgartlinger of Austria
According to The Sun, Sunderland boss David Moyes is keeping taps on Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger.
The Black Cats have struggled so far this season, and need a real turnaround to – yet again – avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
After a frustrating end to the summer transfer window, Moyes needs to splash the cash in January, and he appears to be eyeing up potential transfer targets.
The Sun report that Moyes is keen on Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Juliam Baumgartlinger, who only moved from Bundesliga rivals Mainz over the summer.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Austria’s Julian Baumgartlinger
Baumgartlinger, 28, racked up more than 100 appearances for Mainz following a 2011 move from Austria Wien, and his performances earned him his big move to Leverkusen.
A tenacious, hard-working defensive midfielder, Baumgartlinger has proven himself as a real leader given that he’s currently the captain of the Austrian national team – and those attributes could be just what Moyes is looking for.
Austria’s Julian Baumgartlinger in action with Wales’ Gareth Bale
It’s claimed that Moyes sent scout Robbie Cooke to watch Baumgartlinger in action for Austria against Wales on Thursday evening, and could make a January move for the player, given that he’s started just two of Leverkusen’s six Bundesliga games so far.
With competition from the likes of Lars Bender, Charles Aranguiz and Kevin Kampl, Baumgartlinger may consider his future in January, and Sunderland will hope to be at the front of the queue for his signature.
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