Dick Advocaat hopes to see his Sunderland squad bolstered by two season-long loan deals for Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj and Liverpool’s Fabio Borini. Both are attacking midfielders or deep-lying forwards and will be ideally suited to wide roles in Advocaat’s preferred front three.
While the deal for Januzaj – a 20-year-old Belgium international who appears to have lost his way a little after a bright start to life at Old Trafford – is expected to go through once Pedro completes his long-mooted move from Barcelona to United – the Borini deal comes as more of a surprise.
Unwanted at Liverpool, the Italian enjoyed a successful loan stint at the Stadium of Light in 2013-14, scoring 10 goals in 40 appearances. However, the 24-year-old refused to countenance a permanent £14m transfer to Wearside last summer and it was thought Sunderland had lost interest in a player who has latterly been discussing a potential return to Italy.
Things apparently changed on Wednesday when Adam Johnson suffered a serious shoulder injury likely to keep the winger on the sidelines for a minimum of two months. With Brendan Rodgers desperate to offload Borini it seems he could shortly be heading back to the north-east after all.
In contrast Advocaat has been discussing the move for Januzaj with his Old Trafford compatriot Louis van Gaal for some time and, providing Pedro is secured, the loan appears attractive to all parties.
