On loan right-back Javier Manquillo has impressed in recent weeks at Sunderland but will he sign on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid?
Sunderland manager David Moyes intimated recently that one of the club’s loanees could stick around as they prepare for life in the Championship next season, as reported by The Chronicle.
And perhaps his team selection for the Black Cats’ 2-0 Premier League reverse at Arsenal on Wednesday offered a hint as to the identity of his first summer signing.
Javier Manquillo has now started each of Sunderland’s last seven Premier League games, often filling in on the left side of defence and impressing against the Gunners in a more natural right wing-back position.
Right back to Wearside
In fact, the on-loan Atletico Madrid defender has been one of the club’s more steady players in recent weeks. If only all of Sunderland’s defenders could perform at the same level on a weekly basis.
And with the La Liga giants seemingly certain to let Manquillo go sooner rather than later, this is his third successive loan spell away from the Vicente Calderon after all, Sunderland could be well placed to pounce.
Furthermore, the 23-year-old’s versatility could certainly come in handy over a gruelling 46 game season.
And with Moyes seemingly planning for the future by giving the likes of George Honeyman and Lyndon Gooch some much-needed minutes in recent weeks, you wonder whether he is handing the one-time Liverpool signing an audition to prove he is worth keeping around.
Furthermore, with fellow loanees Adnan Januzaj and Jason Denayer set to return to Manchesters United and City respectively, Moyes’ suggestions that one of the trio could stay surely only points to Manquillo.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
