Sunderland first-teamer on verge of completing move to Championship rival
AARON CONNOLLY’S unsuccessful spell at Sunderland appears to be coming to a premature end, with the forward on the verge of joining Championship rivals Millwall.
Connolly has been discussing a short-term deal at the Den, where he has been offered the chance to work under former Black Cats boss Alex Neil.
The Sunderland hierarchy are willing to consider a mutual termination of the Irishman’s contract at the Stadium of Light, with Connolly having signed a deal to the end of the season when he joined Sunderland as a free agent in late September.
His time with the Black Cats has hardly gone to plan, with his only goal for the club having come in November’s 1-1 draw against the club he is set to join, Millwall, in south London.
He made what looks like being his final Sunderland start in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round defeat to Stoke City, with the Black Cats’ exit from the competition appearing to have hastened his departure.
In total, the Republic of Ireland international has made three starts and eight substitute appearances for the Wearsiders, with his failure to establish himself as a regular starter meaning Regis Le Bris has been playing Wilson Isidor as a central striker, with Eliezer Mayenda as his main back-up.
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Having been asked about Connolly’s situation earlier this month, the Sunderland boss said: “We’ll see. It’s still important we have this discussion and conversation with him this month and we’ll look to build the best pathway for our players.
“Sometimes, it’s not your story. We don’t know at the moment what will be the outcome, we’ll have this conversation.”
Connolly’s departure will leave Sunderland even shorter of options in attack, with the club determined to bring in at least one new forward during this month’s transfer window.
Having completed the loan signing of midfielder Enzo Le Fee from Roma last week, the Black Cats’ recruitment team have now turned their attentions to the pursuit of attacking targets.
Ideally, Le Bris has indicated he would like to sign two forwards this month – an out-and-out centre-forward as well as a more versatile attacker capable of playing in a number of different forward roles.
Connolly might not be the only attacker leaving the club this month as Nazariy Rusyn has also been made available for transfer if an acceptable deal can be agreed.
