Pundit reveals "stumbling block" to Sunderland AFC signing versatile League One star | OneFootball

Highlights

When Sunderland announced the loan signing of Callum Styles in January, the expectations were that he would help the Black Cats kick on and push for the play-offs, but that's been far from the case.

Sunderland have fallen off the pace during the second-half of the Championship season, and whilst it's not been Styles' fault, the Hungarian international will be disappointed that he's been unable to help the club progress as expected.

The 24-year-old made the move on loan from League One side Barnsley in January, but the Black Cats have an option to make his move to the Stadium of Light permanent this summer.

The Hungarian international has shown his versatility at the Stadium of Light, playing in a range of different positions, and has started eight games so far for the Black Cats, playing 10 games in total.

Carlton Palmer on Callum Styles' future at Sunderland

Former England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Sunderland will activate their option to buy Callum Styles this summer, with the player's versatility making him an attractive signing.

Palmer told Football League World: "Sunderland sit in a disappointing 13th place in the league with just 56 points, but only have two defeats in their last six games, winning two and drawing the other two, but some way of the play-offs, which is disappointing after their impressive season last year under Tony Mowbray.

"One of the players who has had an impact at the football club is Callum Styles. Styles, who is on loan from Barnsley, has played in numerous positions and has been very steady in his performances.

"Sunderland have a clause they can trigger to make the deal permanent. Obviously, Styles is disappointed because he thought he’d be joining a side that would push on for promotion, but he has come out and said that he doesn’t know what the future holds for him.

“Sunderland can trigger a clause to make the deal permanent, so we’ll wait and see what happens at the end of the season."

However, whilst Palmer believes that Sunderland should sign the Hungary international on a permanent basis, he has identified one potential issue which could hamper the chances of any deal being done.

The former England midfielder said: "I would think, given his performances, which have been good, and they’ve agreed the fee and everything, so I think that Sunderland will trigger the option in his loan deal to make it permanent, but obviously they haven’t got a manager at the moment, so I’m sure they will wait for the new manager to be appointed so he can decide.

"That’s the stumbling block at the moment.”

Sunderland should sign Callum Styles on a permanent basis

Given his age, versatility and experience at Championship level, it would be a mistake for Sunderland to pass up the chance to sign Callum Styles on a permanent basis.

At just 24-years-old, Sunderland could help develop Styles before selling him for more money, which ties in with the club's recruitment strategy.

A bonus for Sunderland is that he's a ready-made Championship player, so he wouldn't need time to get up to the standard of the Championship like some of Sunderland's signings do.

Being able to play in such a variety of positions is huge for Sunderland, and he'll be of great use if the club have a number of players unavailable thanks to injuries or suspensions.

With 20 caps for Hungary to his name, he's also played on the international stage, and that sort of experience could be invaluable, particularly when you consider the number of young players they have on their books.