Transfer News

FREE AGENT Aaron Connolly is on the verge of becoming part of Sunderland’s promotion push.The 24-year-old forward has been without a club since he was released by Hull City in June.Aaron Connolly is on the verge of joining Sunderland on a free transferCredit: GettyThe 24-year-old burst onto the scene with two goals against Tottenham in 2019Credit: Getty Images – GettyRepublic of Ireland international Connolly burst on the scene with Brighton in 2019 with a brace against Tottenham Hotspur.He played 24 times in the Premier League that season, scoring three goals, but he failed to capitalise on that bright start.Connolly had loan spells with Luton, Middlesbrough and Italian club Venezia before heading to Hull in January 2023.He scored eight goals for the Tigers in the Championship last term but that was not enough to earn him an extension.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, he is set to be handed a career lifeline by Regis Le Bris’ high-flying Black Cats.Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough was their fourth in five league matches and early pace-setters West Brom are the only side ahead of them.Sunderland’s bright start has come despite 19-year-old Eliezer Mayenda being their only recognised striker.Le Bris secured the signing of Ahmed Abdullahi on deadline day, but the Nigerian arrival from Gent was instantly ruled out for three months due to needing groin surgery.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSummer recruit Wilson Isidor, a left winger, can also operate as a forward but the North East side have moved to bolster their options.Talks are progressing well between them and Connolly’s representatives and both parties will hope that the ace could be involved for the weekend’s trip to Watford.Meet the new Wags of the Premier League season, from a Belgian interior designer to a Portuguese modelWho are these famous footballers? More

REGIS LE BRIS has no say on keeping Chris Rigg and his other young guns – but Chris Mepham is here to help them reach the top.Sunderland’s fine start under the Frenchman continued with a fourth win from five games.The 17-year-old Chris Rigg continues to shine for SunderlandCredit: RexRegis Le Bris has made an impressive start to life on WearsideCredit: RexThe Black Cats are packed full of young talents such as Romaine Mundle, 21, Jobe Bellingham, 18, Eliezer Mayenda, 19, but the win over Middlesbrough belonged to 17-year-old matchwinner Rigg.It is all going well for Le Bris and his kids, however, he knows interest will mount if they continue like this and any decision to cash in will not be taken by him.Le Bris said: “The market is like that but it’s not my main concern at the minute.“I just want to work with them, help them to grow and to achieve their best football.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“Then, after that, we will see. That’s not my decision.”Meanwhile, deadline day loan signing Chris Mepham says one of the reasons he was brought in from Bournemouth was to help nurture the talented teens.The centre-half helped Sunderland keep a clean sheet on his debut and then said: “At 26, I’ve seen a fair amount and a lot of players that have a lot of potential and all the ability in the world but struggle with the other side of the game.“So it’s important to keep your feet on the ground, working hard and not become complacent.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“We can help with little stuff like timing, coming in on time, not getting sloppy with day-to-day stuff. That’s something that I think I can kind of help with.“The club made it clear it was important for me to come in and give that kind of know-how and bit experience that perhaps some lads miss.”I’m a former England star with eight caps – I’d be worth £100MILLION and have 50 caps if I was playing todayLe Bris replied “hope so” when asked whether Rigg could play for England and Welsh international Mepham believes his “scary” new team-mate can reach the very top.He said: “You see him talking to people and almost leading, which is scary I think.“He’s 17 and I think he has the respect of everyone at the football club and rightly so and that gives him that freedom to lead.“I think that and his quality on the ball is an amazing combination.”For Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough, it’s scoring goals that is their problem.Both Tommy Conway and Matt Clarke missed big chances at Sunderland to leave them with an average of just a goal-a-game six matches in.Carrick said: “What we’re finding against a lot of teams, especially if they get a lead on us, they defend very deep with a lot of numbers.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’ve got to face that challenge and find ways to break teams down.“I’m sure if we keep doing the right things, creating the opportunities and being the better team like in pretty much every game we’ve played so far, I’m sure we will start to get the rewards.”Chris Mepham helped Sunderland keep a clean sheet on his debut for the clubCredit: Rex More