Sunderland Join The Race To Sign Wigan Athletic Defender: A Good Move In The Offing?

Transfer Speculation

Sunderland need to beef up the quality of their defence in the summer and there is no denying that. The Sun, in one of its latest reports, has stated that Sunderland are eyeing Wigan Athletic centre-back, Donervon Daniels. Apart from the Black Cats, two other Championship outfits, namely, Norwich City and Cardiff City are also understood to be desirous to secure his services in the summer, which really spices up the whole scenario.

Fact File

Daniels emerged through the youth ranks of West Bromwich Albion but he couldn’t really cement his place in the senior side of the Baggies. He mustered loan spells with Tranmere Rovers, Gillingham, Blackpool and Aberdeen before signing permanently for Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2015. He spent the first half of the ongoing season at Rochdale, having garnered 15 appearances to his name, and impressed a lot during his time with them.

Recalled

The Latics are placed at the top of League One table and are unarguably one of the sides which are favourites to clinch a ticket to the Championship. Daniels, during his loan spell with Rochdale, impressed Wigan Athletic manager, Paul Cook, who has recalled him to DW Stadium to have more options at the back. However, it apparently seems that he has impressed a lot of clubs who are keen to make him sign on the dotted line in the summer.

The Overall Scenario

Sunderland have been timorous and wasteful throughout their campaign in the English second division and are currently placed at the 23rd spot in the league table with 26 points to their name from 31 games. They would need a herculean effort from here onwards to ensure their survival in the Championship.

Daniels was an instrumental player for the Tics when they were last promoted to the second tier but he missed previous season owing to his knee injury. Intriguingly, his contract expires in the summer and although Wigan Athletic may be desirous to make him sign a new contract, nothing concrete has emerged so far regarding his stay at his current club.

Will This Be a Good Move For Sunderland?

Coleman, if he manages to save his side from sinking, must go for Daniels. He is a strong central defender who is good at tackles and interceptions. Although he is not very sound in the air, he is very shrewd at reading the game and doesn’t refrain from getting into tight situations to do the needful. Besides, he has quite a bit of experience and might be tempted to move to the Stadium of Light.

Statistics Credits: WhoScored