:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36652262/20140723_pjc_sr9_115.JPG.0.jpg)
Sunderland may be about to recruit a second central midfielder from Manchester City in a week, with reports in Argentina and Spain suggesting that a loan deal for Bruno Zucilini is close.
The 21-year-old only arrive from Racing Club earlier this summer, but a strong showing in preseason has seen his star rise a little, prompting interest from Spanish duo Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia. However, with City due to lose both Frank Lampard (return to parent club New York City) and Yaya Toure (African Cup of Nations) in January, Manuel Pelegrini is reported to want the option of recalling the youngster mid-season.
That has seen Sunderland apparently jump to the head of the queue.
Sunderland haría un intento por llevarse cedido a Bruno Zuculini, del City.
— Hernando Maderna (@hmaderna) August 7, 2014
Upon first glance, it looks a considerably better deal for City than it does for Sunderland, who will be forced to change their plans midway through the season.
However, another way to look at it is that Sunderland get the benefit of a very highly-rated player for five months, have plenty of time to source a replacement, and will have a Premier league loan spot in the squad open up in the January transfer window. And that's presuming City don't just decide go out and buy someone top class to replace Lampard instead.
Either way, If the reports prove accurate and it happens, it will probably be a deal that will divide opinion, but there we go.
