One Sunderland AFC January transfer trumps double Sheffield United signing | OneFootball

The Black Cats secured the striker they truly needed on a permanent deal.

On the face of it, it might appear that Sunderland endured a trying transfer window after missing out on the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz and Tom Cannon.

Both players signed for the Black Cats' promotion challengers Sheffield United, who will believe they have a one up on the Wearsiders.

However, after securing the permanent transfer of Wilson Isidor, Regis Le Bris' side must believe they are the real winners from the January window.

Wilson Isidor the bargain of the January window

Shirt off, flag thrust up high, a chorus of Wearsiders in the palm of his hand, Isidor's celebrations post Middlesbrough bared resemblance to Maximus Meridius in the Colosseum.

This felt like a defining moment in Sunderland's season and Wearside's new favourite son was at the heart of it.

Since joining on an initial loan deal from Zenit St Petersburg, the Frenchman has been an integral figure in Le Bris' side and has become their undisputed number nine.

Isidor netted his first goal for the club in his first start against Watford and has since bagged 10 goals for the club, surpassing Cannon's nine.

What sets the 24-year-old aside from his peers is his composure in front of goal. Yes, he missed two penalties against Burnley, but the forward has converted from some near impossible angles.

Watching Isidor run the length of the pitch to find himself one on one with the goalkeeper has become a consistent theme, and he has had the nous to outsmart the keeper on a regular basis.

At £5m, his acquisition must be deemed a bargain compared to the estimated £10m spent on Cannon, who compares very similarly to Isidor in terms of his attacking statistics.

Sheffield United needed Cannon and Brereton Diaz more than Sunderland

Chris Wilder knew he had to invest in his front line if the Blades were to sustain their challenge for the automatic promotion places and signed the duo to do just that.

Both Cannon and Brereton Diaz are decent players at Championship level and are an upgrade on the misfiring Kieffer Moore, who has only managed five league goals so far this season.

Their combination could be crucial to the Blades' success this season, with Wilder starting both of them in their opening matches for the club.

While the pair walked straight into Wilder's side, it would not have been so straight forward at the Stadium of Light, with Isidor the number one and Eliezer Mayenda another excellent option.

Furthermore, Sheffield United paid a premium for Cannon, who is yet to hit double figures in a Championship season. Of course, he is nailed on to do that this campaign, but four of his goals came in one match and three came from the spot.

While Sunderland may have missed out on several attacking targets, the one they really needed was in front of them all along.