Report: Wolves destabilise Sunderland for second time with Chris Martin deal in balance

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Wolverhampton Wanderers played key role in Lewis Grabban’s Sunderland exit and Championship leaders are now attempting to scupper a deal for Chris Martin.

With just a week of the transfer window remaining, Sunderland do not have a single senior striker in their ranks, and they have league leaders Wolves to thank for that.

Sky Sports reported last week that the Black Cats had opened talks with Derby County to sign Chris Martin on loan for the rest of the season. A deal appeared to be edging closer but Wolves, who had been linked with the Scottish striker earlier in the window, appear to have stepped up their interest at the eleventh hour.

Because the Sunday People (21^st January, page 48) reports that Wolves are now leading the chase to sign the Derby outcast as Nuno Espirito Santo aims to take the pressure off the out-of-form Leo Bonatini.

As such, the Chronicle states that there is an air of nervousness hanging over the Stadium of Light as they wait for Martin, who has headed off to Dubai with Derby for a warm weather training camp, to decide on his future.

This is the second time that Wolves have destabilised Sunderland this month. The Chronicle adds that it was the prospect of a move to Molineux which encouraged Lewis Grabban to bring an end to his loan spell on Wearside.

The Bournemouth-owned striker was, and still is, Sunderland’s top-scorer this season but returned to the South Coast with Championship clubs higher up the table reportedly keen to sign him permanently.

Since then, however, Wolves appear to have turned their attention towards Martin instead, meaning the league leaders will not be too popular on Wearside right now.