Sunderland close in on Callum Styles transfer | OneFootball

Sunderland are pushing ahead with a move for Callum Styles, who finds himself in League One currently with Barnsley.

That's according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon account, who believes the Black Cats could wrap up a deal today.

The left-footed central midfielder or left-sided wing-back spent the 2022/23 season on loan with Millwall, but featured just 22 times in the second tier due to a long-term injury, and he did not get a move back to the second tier in the summer.

Now back at Oakwell, he is more often than not in Neill Collins' starting 11. The 23-year-old has made 20 appearances in League One this term, scoring three times and assisting a further two.

Styles has been performing well for the South Yorkshire outfit, but has just 18 months left on his deal with the club, so could be on the move from the Tykes with just a matter of hours left in the transfer window.

Sunderland interest emerges in Barnsley's Callum Styles

According to a recent report from Nixon via his Patreon account, Championship interest has emerged once more in Styles, following his loan move to Millwall last term, and he revealed two clubs have been looking to give the 23-year-old an exit route from the third tier of English football.

Hull City had been said to be leading the chase for the 18-cap Hungary international, with Liam Rosenior said to want a new predominantly left-sided player following the departure of Scott Twine, who headed to Bristol City after seeing his loan terminated at the MKM Stadium.

Nixon has claimed that Hull will be rivaled by Birmingham City, with Tony Mowbray's side also said to be keen on him. However, in a recent twist, Sunderland have emerged as another Championship side who are set to rival both Birmingham and Hull for Styles' signature.

Sky Sports' North East reporter, Keith Downie, believes that the Michael Beale's side are set to offer an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for the Barnsley midfielder.

Since then, it has been reported that Sunderland are closing in on a deal for Styles, with further talks for the Hungarian scheduled to take place over the last few days, according to the Northern Echo,

However, Nixon has provided further details, he added: "Sunderland are pushing on with a deal.

"The Black Cats are expected to agree terms with the Oakwell club and then sort out the player who's keen to move."

A smart signing for Sunderland

Styles' versatility will be of huge benefit, as he is capable of operating anywhere down the left flank, as well as in central-midfield.

At 23, he fits the model for Sunderland of signing youth or pre-peak players with potential sell-on value, whilst, crucially, Styles has been a good player at Championship level before, be that with Millwall or during Barnsley's play-off tilt a few seasons ago.

That's the aim for Sunderland again this season, and, on loan, it won't cost them almost anything, either. It's a no-brainer if the 23-year-old is available at a bargain price.