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Speaking after the 3-0 pre-season win at Hartlepool, Gus Poyet made it clear that Sunderland needed to sign a left-back as soon as possible;
We've got specific targets and it's taking a little bit too long. We have time for one or two specific players, but the rest, we don't have time.
We don't have a left-back. We need a left-back now. We need pace, which we have been looking for for the last year.
Poyet had targeted Marcos Alonso for the left-back berth but was handed a set-back this week when the Spaniard went on Fiorentina's pre-season tour of South America. With Alonso seemingly out of the picture for the next couple of weeks, it appears as if Sunderland may have made a move for Chelsea left-back Patrick van Aanholt.
According to Jim White of Sky Sports News, the two clubs are in talks as they attempt to agree a fee for the Dutch international;
Hearing that #Chelsea left-back Patrick van Aanholt close to joining #Sunderland tonight. Clubs trying to agree fee.
— Jim White (@JimWhite) July 24, 2014
The 23-year-old has spent the last couple of seasons on loan at Eredivisie side Vitesse but hopes to leave Stamford Bridge permanently this summer;
Where will I play next season? I don't know yet. It definitely won't be at Chelsea. I am done here.
The player only has one year left on his contract at Chelsea and should be available for a knock-down fee but with no senior left-back at the club, it could be a case of van Aanholt coming in to compete with Alonso, rather than as a direct replacement.
Time for the obligatory YouTube compilation, this time it includes the player's entire involvement in a game against PSV last season:
Stay tuned to Roker Report throughout the summer as we keep you up to date with all the transfer news and rumours. Also, feel free to keep in touch with our dedicated Transfer Centre, which you can do by CLICKING HERE.
