Championship rivals set for Sunderland transfer swoop with loan deal bid

Portsmouth are reported to be weighing up a bid for Sunderland's Adil Aouchiche as they make their attacking transfer window moves. The Blues, struggling at the wrong end of the Championship following promotion last season, are keen on the Frenchman to boost their threadbare forward options, with the winter period of recruitment reaching a climax.

The Portsmouth News has reported Aouchiche is a potential target. He certainly represents a viable loan option for Pompey, and looks set to be allowed to leave the Stadium of Light to pick up game time.

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris recently admitted that Aouchiche could still leave the club this month. The 22-year-old remains firmly in contention for minutes as things stand but dropped out of the side at Burnley as Enzo Le Fée came into the XI. He hasn’t played since.

With Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson expected to be back available in February, Aouchiche’s involvement could therefore decline once again in the weeks and months ahead as the injured players return.

Speaking before another striker, Aaron Connolly’s exit, Le Bris said: “With Adil, it’s still open and it’s exactly the same case as Aaron [Connolly]. We want for both sides, Adil and the club, we want to open up different options and at the end we will decide what is the better option for the both.”