Het Nieuwsblad are reporting that Sunderland are working on a deal to bring Matija Frigan to the Stadium of Light. The young Croatian has been a transfer target of the side for a while and they are exploring a loan with a purchase option of €15m should they win promotion to the Premier League. Westerlo have already signed two strikers this January and with Frigan reportedly keen on the move are likely to be more open than they would have been. However, it is quite surprising that Sunderland are willing to spend so much on a player who has shown flashes of what he can do in Belgium.
Westerlo beat Sunderland to his signing back in 2023, making Frigan their record signing at the time. The striker joined from Croatian side Rijeka, where he had scored 14 goals in 31 games. He only managed five in 31 during his first season in Belgium as he struggled to adapt to the league. He has seven goals this season, with six in the league in 22 games. While he has looked good at times this season, the inconsistency of last season is still evident. Whether or not he has what it takes to play in the Championship and help Sunderland win promotion remains to be seen.
