Sunderland‘s hopes of signing Hibernian centre-back Ryan Porteous next month have been given a boost, with the defender likely to be sold in the January transfer window.
It seems as if former Black Cats manager Lee Johnson might have done his old club a favour, as the Hibs boss confirmed that the 23-year-old will more than likely be sold in the winter as the Scottish Premiership side look to avoid losing him for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
Sunderland are one of several Championship clubs to have been linked with Porteous in recent weeks, as the Scotland international continues to impress with Hibernian north of the border.
Amid a contract dispute with the Edinburgh club, Porteous now looks nailed-on to leave Easter Road in the new year; and given the defender’s impressive performances in recent years, Tony Mowbray will be hoping that he makes the relatively short trip southward to the Stadium of Light.
Johnson said: “We’re not shying away from the fact we will trade Ryan. If the price is right and there is logic behind the offer we receive – and to date, I don’t believe we’ve had any offers – and we can justify potentially bringing in a new recruit or pushing that money into various parts of the business, then, of course, we’ll look to do it.”
So far this season, the centre-back has made 16 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, contributing two goals and averaging a 7/10 rating from WhoScored for his performances.
This would rank him as the second-best player in Sunderland’s squad if he had replicated those displays in the Championship, which emphasises just how impressive he has been for Hibernian and shows the quality that he could add to Mowbray’s side in January.
Team-mate Chris Cadden was full of praise for Porteous’ ability and attitude after he played a big part in earning a draw against Celtic last season, saying: “He goes out there, gives 100 per cent, wears his heart on his sleeve. Every time he pulls on the jersey he gives 100 per cent and you can see that week in, week out.
“It’s a pleasure to play alongside him. He’s been brilliant and he just keeps putting in those performances. It’s standard for him now.”
There will no doubt be a lot of competition to sign Porteous in January, but after Johnson all but confirmed that the 23-year-old would leave Hibs, Mowbray should do all that he can to ensure that the defender is a Sunderland player by the end of next month’s transfer window.
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