Aaron Mooy caught the eye of Pep Guardiola after thriving on loan at Huddersfield Town from Manchester City – he’d be ideal for Sunderland.
Who would have thought that Pep Guardiola may have an influence on Sunderland’s summer transfer activity?
According to The Sun, David Moyes has identified Huddersfield Town playmaker Aaron Mooy as one of his top summer targets as The Black Cats seemingly attempt to build a squad capable of inspiring an immediate return to the Premier League with relegation all but confirmed.
And signing Mooy wouldn’t be a bad place to start. The 26-year-old arrived on loan at Huddersfield from Manchester City in the summer and no one epitomises their remarkable season quite like the diminutive Australian schemer.
Quick footed, intuitive and tactically aware, Mooy has scored four goals and provided five assists while helping David Wagner’s Terriers dominate the midfield battleground by haring after every ball and flying forwards with pace and aggression.
So of course Guardiola had watched, and enjoyed, his progress.
“Aaron Mooy is playing amazing this season and we are glad,” the Catalan coach said prior to Huddersfield’s 5-1 FA Cup defeat to City in February, as reported by ESPN. “It is not easy coming from Australia and going to the Championship and play as good as he is.”
Guardiola also hinted that Mooy could have a part to play at City next season but, with the Spaniard hardly lacking options in midfield, another loan move or a permanent departure appears far more likely.
And Mooy could be exactly the player Sunderland are crying out for. Goalless in their last seven games, the former Bolton Wanderers youngster could provide that spark of creativity that Moyes’ blunt side have lacked all season long.
Furthermore, he’s proven in the Championship. For once, Sunderland may be planning their transfers astutely.
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