Sunderland are reportedly keen on Celtic’s Ryan Christie.
According to The Scottish Sun, Sunderland are hoping to snap up Celtic playmaker Ryan Christie on loan, with a permanent deal in place for the January transfer window.
The Black Cats have backed new manager Jack Ross with a raft of signings this summer, with 12 new faces arriving in Jon McLaughlin, Glenn Loovens, Jack Baldwin, Alim Ozturk, Reece James, Tom Flanagan, Luke O’Nien, Max Power, Dylan McGeouch, Chris Maguire, Jerome Sinclair and Charlie Wyke all arriving.
So far, Sunderland have taken seven points from three League One games and look to be making a strong start to their promotion bid, but Ross is still looking for one more signing this month.
The Scottish Sun now report that Sunderland want to take Celtic playmaker Ryan Christie on loan until January, when they would then sign him on a permanent basis as they look to get around the transfer window closing for permanent deals earlier this month.
Christie, 23, signed for Celtic from hometown club Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2015, but has made just 14 appearances for the Bhoys and just returned from 18 months on loan at Aberdeen.
The Scot seemingly has little future under Brendan Rodgers, and many Celtic fans expect him to move on, with Sunderland now seemingly ready to offer him an escape route before the end of the month.
Former St Mirren boss Ross will be well aware of Christie given his knowledge of Scottish football, and with his contract at Celtic expiring next summer, Sunderland may feel they can land a bargain.
The Bhoys allegedly want to recoup a fair chunk of the £500,000 then-manager Ronny Deila spent on Christie three years ago once the January transfer window opens, and given his obvious talent, this would be a major coup for Sunderland as they plot a Championship return.
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