Chris Coleman’s job at Sunderland just keeps getting harder, with Championship rivals Wolves demanding a fee the Black Cats cannot pay for Ben Marshall.
With one week to go before the transfer window shuts, the chances of Sunderland bringing in some much needed reinforcements appear to be hanging in the balance.
It seemed as if Sunderland had a good chance of finally bringing in their first new face of the month with the Shields Gazette stating that they were closing in on the signing of Wolves winger Ben Marshall.
The 26-year-old, who joined Wolves from Blackburn Rovers for about £1.25 million a year ago, has fallen down the pecking order this season and looks almost certain to have a new club by February.
Wolves, however, want a permanent deal of around £1 million, and Championship rivals Fulham have now emerged as the most likely destination.
This will represent further frustration, then, for Sunderland boss Chris Coleman. The manager has been desperately trying to field offers for Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong this month but no bids have been made for the former while speculation linking the latter to Watford has grown cold.
So if Coleman had any doubts about how difficult this job would have been, this galling transfer window will have made the club’s struggles pretty clear to him. It appears that, once again, finances are preventing Sunderland from reinforcing their squad.
And the fact that they cannot afford to pay even £1 million explains why they are in a battle to avoid successive relegations. Unless Kone or Ndong leave, it seems Marshall will not be arriving.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
