Chris Rigg leaves: Sunderland AFC's best and worst case transfer scenarios in January | OneFootball

We took at some of the best and worse transfer scenarios for Sunderland in January

The 2024/25 season has started in spectacular fashion for Sunderland, and perhaps not even the most optimistic of supporters would have expected to see them top the table at this stage of the campaign.

Regis Le Bris' side have been outstanding and look the team to beat this season, but the Frenchman won't be getting carried away just yet, with plenty of football yet to be played.

Of course, there's still the small matter of the January transfer window to come, and that could arguably make or break Sunderland's promotion challenge, so there's no doubt that the club's hierarchy will be preparing for all circumstances when the window opens.

With that in mind, we've taken a look at Sunderland's best and worst transfer scenarios.

Sunderland's best case scenarios in the January transfer window

Signing a new right-back

Sunderland only have one recognised right-back in their squad, which comes in the form of Trai Hume, and it's a position they should look to strengthen come January.

Hume has done a good job this season and has been a mainstay in Le Bris' starting XI, but should anything happen to the 22-year-old, they would be short of bodies there, and it could cost them over the course of a 46-game season.

20-year-old centre-back Zak Johnson started at right-back when Sunderland travelled to Preston in the EFL Cup back in August, perhaps showing their lack of options there, and cover for Hume, whether that be on loan or on a permanent basis, will be important in January.

Offloading Naz Rusyn

January will mark 18 months since Naz Rusyn joined Sunderland from Zorhya Luhansk, and it's fair to say things haven't gone as planned for the striker.

He's struggled for goals, and despite being the club's top scoring striker with two goals last season, he's fallen down the pecking order following the arrival of Wilson Isidor in the summer.

Isidor has become the club's first choice striker, and with the likes of Eliezer Mayenda, Aaron Connolly and Ahmed Abdullahi on their books, it's hard to see how Rusyn will make an impact this season.

It might be time for Sunderland to cut their losses in January and offload Rusyn, whether that be on loan or on a permanent basis.

Sunderland's worst case scenarios in the January transfer window

Losing Chris Rigg

17-year-old Chris Rigg has made an outstanding start to the 2024/25 campaign, and understandably has attracted plenty of transfer interest.

European giants like Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, and Chelsea are all reportedly keen on a move for the midfielder, while bitter rivals Newcastle United have previously been credited with an interest in the youngster.

The midfielder signed a professional contract with the Black Cats over the summer, but he's bound to receive interest in January regardless, and ensuring he remains at the club will be one of Le Bris' priorities.

Losing him in January would be a huge blow to their promotion chances, with the 17-year-old making an excellent start to the Championship season.

Losing Anthony Patterson

The biggest problem for Sunderland in January would be losing key players, and like Rigg, losing goalkeeper Anthony Patterson could be a fatal blow to their promotion hopes.

Patterson has recently been linked with Premier League moves to the likes of Manchester United and Crystal Palace, according to The Sun, with Sunderland reportedly valuing him at £20million.

It's not the first time Sunderland have had Premier League interest in Patterson, with Liverpool and Arsenal reportedly keen last season, but a move failed to materialise.

The 24-year-old is the Black Cats first choice goalkeeper and has been a mainstay in the starting XI this season, meaning they won't want to lose him in January.