Champions League hitman now on Speakman’s transfer radar as Sunderland striker search takes a turn.
Deadline day is here. For Sunderland the aim is clear: sign a new striker before 11pm, or go the remainder of the season with very limited options.
Ahead of deadline day, Sunderland signed Wilson Isidor on a permanent deal from Zenit. It’s a very good signing but it’s not one that adds anymore depth to Regis Le Bris’ side.
More attacking firepower is needed and several frontmen have been linked with Sunderland ahead of deadline day, which sees the Black Cats playing away at north-east rivals Middlesbrough in the evening.
Sunderland add Pape Cherif Ndiaye to their transfer shortlist
An emerging claim from Mirror journalist Ryan Taylor has revealed that Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman are now ‘looking into late deal for Red Star Belgrade striker Pape Cherif Ndiaye’ ahead of the 11pm deadline.
Taylor adds that there’s ‘confidence on the player side’ that the move can be completed in time, but that Champions League outfitters Red Star Belgrade are ‘reluctant to sell’ right now’.
READ MORE: Report reveals how much Sunderland paid for Wilson Isidor and it’s a lot higher than first thought.
Sunderland looking into late deal for Red Star Belgrade striker Pape Cherif Ndiaye as part of search for attacking reinforcements before deadline. Confidence on player side that move is possible but Serbian giants reluctant to sell. #SAFChttps://t.co/5DvckVWHid
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) February 2, 2025
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Pape Cherif Ndiaye’s stats in 2024/25 so far
Ndiaye, 29, is a twice-capped Senegalese international who’s played his football in Croatia, Turkey, China, and now Serbia. And it’s with Belgrade where he’s really shone.
In 65 total games for the club he’s scored 30 goals. So far this season, Ndiaye has scored 13 in 16 in the league as well as two goals in eight Champions League games with Belgrade.
He’s out of contract in 2026 and so he currently faces an uncertain future with Belgrade, so there certainly looks to be a degree of possibility with this move.
As ever on deadline day, though, with rumours coming out so close to the 11pm deadline, it’s almost impossible for clubs to get deals done. Almost impossible.
