Sunderland AFC transfer news: Aaron Connolly to join Alex Neil, potential Tom Cannon blow, Matija Frigan | OneFootball

FLW rounds up the latest transfer news on Wearside

The winter transfer window is set to be a pivotal one in the short-term ambitions of Sunderland.

So far under Regis Le Bris' management, a youthful Black Cats side have pushed the likes of Leeds United, Burnley and Sheffield United close in the automatic promotion race, with all three rivals in that regard expected by many to be fighting for such prospects from the get-go, unlike the North East outfit.

As a result, interest in some of the Championship's hottest commodities such as Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Anthony Patterson has remained rife, although it is key for Sunderland to only add to their squad more than anything, which has been proven by the well-documented acquisition of French midfielder, Enzo Le Fee from AS Roma last week.

There are still over three weeks for business to continue in terms of both incomings and outgoings at the Stadium of Light. And, with that in mind, Football League World rounds up the latest transfer news surrounding the Wearside club.

Aaron Connolly set to join ex-Sunderland manager

The first piece of transfer news surrounding the Black Cats is that Aaron Connolly is set to join Millwall, who are now managed by former Sunderland boss, Alex Neil.

Roker Report revealed such developments on Monday afternoon, stating that an agreement has been reached between the respective parties, and that the 24-year-old striker will make an imminent switch to The Den.

Connolly only signed for Sunderland in late September as a free agent following his release from Hull City last summer, but has only made 11 appearances for the club in all competitions and found the back of the net on one occasion, which was ironically against the Lions on November 23rd.

Sunderland could face Tom Cannon blow amid Sheffield United interest

Sunderland and Sheffield United are two clubs who have held an interest in acquiring the services of Tom Cannon from Leicester City since the beginning of the transfer window, but the North East side could face a blow in their pursuit of the man currently on loan at Stoke City.

Alan Nixon has claimed that the Foxes have up until midnight to decide whether they will recall the striker from his current loan spell in Staffordshire, where he has scored nine Championship goals, and send him elsewhere.

However, in his latest Patreon report, Nixon has revealed that the Blades, who have recently been taken over by COH Sports, are prepared to strike a £7m agreement to win the race for the 22-year-old, in what is being described as "a test of both club’s wallets and ambitions."

Stoke would also like to keep Cannon on their books for the remainder of the season, and Leicester boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy didn't rule out that possibility in his most recent press conference either.

Sunderland taking "serious look" at KVC Westerlo striker

Meanwhile, another striker the fourth-place side are said to be keeping tabs on is KVC Westerlo's Matija Frigan.

That is according to Michael Graham via X, as Le Bris looks to add further firepower behind Wilson Isidor, who has been a revelation on Wearside since his summer loan move from Zenit.

Frigan has been linked with a potential move to this part of the world in the past, with reports in the summer of 2023 stating that Sunderland had a £3.4m bid turned down by his former employers, HNK Rijeka.

During that same summer, the Croatian made the move to Belgium on a five-year contract, and has since gone on to score 11 times in 50 Belgian Pro League appearances.

At 21 years of age, a move for the striker would definitely fit in with Sunderland's current principles, as the current squad has the youngest average age in the division with a figure of 23.2.