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Despite possible good news regarding Keiren Westwood's shoulder surgery, Sunderland are still in the market for another goalkeeper with only Jordan Pickford and Joel Dixon currently available as back up to Vito Mannone. After being linked with the likes of Julio Cesar, Jeroen Zoet, Mariano Andujar, Oscar Ustari, Albano Bizzarro and many, many more, the latest name to be thrown in the hat is Nikolay Mihaylov.
In a report in this morning's Gazzetta dello Sport, Sunderland are hoping to sign the Bulgarian from Italian side Hellas Verona. Verona only signed the 25-year-old in the summer but he has been unable to force his way past club captain Rafael and has only played one game so far, in a Coppa Italia game against Sampdoria.
Mihaylov previously had a highly successful spell at FC Twente, where he helped them win the Eredivisie for the first time in their history under the management of Steve McClaren. The player had originally signed for Twente on loan from Liverpool after he was unable to get a work permit, after a few more seasons on loan and when he still didn't qualify for a work permit he signed a permanent deal with the Dutch side. Going on to make 110 appearances for Twente.
Since first joining Twente, Mihaylov has established himself as Bulgarian number one and with the restrictions on Bulgarian workers in the UK lifted earlier this month, the player should have no problem getting work permit should we push through a move for him.
Gus Poyet recently reiterated his desire to see another senior goalkeeper join the club;
If Westie is going to be out until the end of the season we will need another goalkeeper.
We need cover. Not because we do not trust Jordan, but because anything can happen with injuries.
If we do not get someone in, I don't know whether we could ask the Premier League for an emergency loan - I think you can only do that if all your goalkeepers are out!
So we need to get someone now, both as competition for Vito and as cover.
We could get a goalkeeper on a permanent contract, or just for six months on loan.
We will see.
So whether or not that player is Mihaylov, a goalkeeper arriving in this window looks like a certainty.
Stay tuned to Roker Report throughout January as we keep you up to date with his and all other transfer news and rumours. Also, feel free to keep in touch with our dedicated Transfer Centre, which you can do by CLICKING HERE.
