SUNDERLAND MUST SNATCH FISAYO DELE-BASHIRU NOW, CAN HE DITCH LAZIO FAST
Sunderland is targeting a January move for Lazio's Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The Nigerian midfielder, formerly of Man City and Sheffield Wednesday, has seen his playing time in Serie A decrease, making a transfer to the Black Cats a likely outcome.
According to a recent report from La Repubblica (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Sunderland is watching Fisayo Dele-Bashiru closely. While Regis Le Bris wants to reunite with Matteo Guendouzi, it seems Dele-Bashiru, Guendouzi’s Lazio teammate, is now the Black Cats’ target for the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old Nigerian player developed in Manchester City’s academy before joining Sheffield Wednesday to play regularly. He played for them in both the Championship and League One. In the summer of 2023, he left the Owls for Hatayspor in Turkey.
Dele-Bashiru’s skills earned him a move to Serie A when Lazio bought him on loan for a season. Lazio paid €5.4m to make the deal permanent earlier this year. But his playing time has decreased under Maurizio Sarri, partly because of a hamstring injury in September.
Even though he was ready to play against Lecce last weekend, Sarri’s decision not to include him has caused speculation. Some say his poor performance early in the season is the reason. Someone at Football Italia thinks he is being rested for the upcoming AFCON.
Why Sunderland Should Take a Chance
Sunderland has been doing great since their return to the Premier League. The club has supported Le Bris with some good signings, and the coach has managed to balance youth and experience on the field. The midfield is in good shape, with Granit Xhaka playing very well with Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, who were signed this summer.
Enzo Le Fee, Chris Rigg, and Dan Neil have been important since they came up from the Championship. But Rigg and Neil have less playing time since Xhaka, Diarra, and Sadiki arrived. Even though Le Fee has been playing on the left, his ability to play different positions has allowed Le Bris to make changes to the team. Dele-Bashiru should also do well at the Stadium of Light, since he can play in different midfield positions.
Although he has played on the wings at times, the Lazio player is known for his dribbling, runs through the middle, box-to-box movement, energy, and creativity. He needs to improve his defence and physical play, but what he offers could make him a worthwhile signing in January.
DERBY OUTRAGE: PETER BANKES DOUBLES DOWN ON DISALLOWED KOLO MUANI GOAL DESPITE MASSIVE CRITICISM
Referee verdict: Discover why Peter Bankes disallowed Kolo Muani’s goal and Keith Hackett’s "stupid and soft" reaction.
Referee Peter Bankes stood by his call to disallow Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser in the North London derby, calling it “a very, very clear offence.”
The moment sparked outrage. Gabriel, Arsenal’s defender, hit the deck after Muani’s challenge in the box. Former Premier League referees’ chief Keith Hackett didn’t hold back, calling the decision “stupid and soft".
Bankes didn’t hesitate. He blew for a foul, ruled out the goal, and VAR stayed out of it, even as Spurs fans fumed. That goal would’ve levelled it at 2-2.
Bankes explained on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show: “I was exactly where I needed to be for a cross from the right. I saw the Tottenham player put two hands into the back of the Arsenal player. That’s what grabbed my attention. When you see that live, it looks like a straightforward push – a clear foul.
“I held off on the whistle to let play run, then made the call after the ball went in. That way, VAR could step in if I’d missed something or if it looked off. But honestly, on the pitch, it looked obvious.
“I’m still comfortable with my decision. Sure, things can look different at different speeds; slow motion isn’t the same as seeing it live. But I got one look, and I was confident the two hands on the back had enough impact to be a foul.
“I know people will split on this, but I’m comfortable. That’s a free kick for me.”
The decision was a huge break for Arsenal, who ended up winning 4-1. As far as Spurs fans were concerned, Gabriel got away with one.
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher backed Bankes up: “The on-field decision always stands. The ref saw enough for a push. VAR isn’t going to overturn that when the evidence is there.”
THE GIBBS-WHITE PROJECT: WHY MANCHESTER UNITED SEE THE FOREST STAR AS THEIR NEXT PLAYMAKER
United transfer hub. Get the report on wage bill cuts, the Forest playmaker, and City’s rival interest.
Manchester United still have a bit of a wait before the summer transfer window opens, but talk around Old Trafford is already heating up. People keep linking United with all kinds of new signings for when the season wraps up.
Michael Carrick has made quite the impression as United’s interim head coach so far. The club handed him the reins until the end of the season, and honestly, he’s done well with the opportunity.
Still, no one really knows who’ll be in charge next season. That uncertainty just adds fuel to the rumours about which players United will chase in the transfer market.
Right now, everything hinges on Champions League qualification. United sit fourth in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night. That spot could make all the difference for summer plans.
Morgan Gibbs-White's claim
Now, United have reportedly joined the hunt for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The Daily Mail says United are keeping an eye on the Forest playmaker, maybe even lining up a summer move.
But there’s a snag: United want to bring down their wage bill, and that could make signing Gibbs-White tricky.
Manchester City are also said to be interested, and Tottenham apparently tried to sign the 26-year-old with a £60 million offer, but that move fell apart.
Man United's Scott McTominay stance
As for Scott McTominay, it sounds like United aren’t planning a reunion. Despite recent talk about bringing the Napoli midfielder back, TEAMtalk reports United aren’t interested, and the idea hasn’t even come up in the recruitment department.
Napoli now values McTominay at close to £70 million, just a year and a half after he left United for around £25 million. He made the move to Italy in the summer of 2024 and, in his first season, helped Napoli win the Serie A title.