Sunderland face battle for left-back target
Sunderland are in the market for a new left-back this month – and they have been credited with an interest in AFC Wimbledon full-back Paul Osew.
WycombeWanderers,SunderlandandSalfordCityareall keeping tabs on the defender, report the Daily Telegraph, withapossiblesix-monthloan deal on the cards.
The 20-year-old has played in the Football League Trophy this season. He wasn’t involved in the AFC Wimbledon matchday squad for the 3-0 defeat to Sunderland at the weekend.
Salary cap limitations mean that Sunderland are likely to next look at the loan market, with players under the age of 21 exempt from the restrictions.
Johnson has been utilising hiscontactsatPremierLeague academies,havingenjoyedlots of success with Bristol City through this approach.
Hesaidtheclubwere'inthe mix'fortheirpreferredtargets.
While at this stage arrivals look more likely in the latter stages of the window, Johnson saidthatwassomethingwhich could quickly change.
"We'reinthemix,"Johnson said. "These things can seem a long way off but the landscape quickly changes and all ofasuddensomeoneisontheir way for a medical.
"There are players who are aware of our interest, there's agents and clubs aware of our interest.
"Whether or not we can get them over the line is probablyoutofmyhands,I'dsayI'm more talent ID in the process here, than anything else.
"It's important that we bring the right personalities in, as well as the right footballing attributes, because we're trying to build a culture here as well as a winning football team."