A big update has emerged on Sunderland and their attempts to strengthen their squad during the January transfer window...
What's the talk?
According to Football Insider, the Black Cats have had an offer accepted by Premier League side Everton to sign central defender Joseph Anderson before the deadline.
The report claims that the Toffees have now allowed the youngster to travel to Wearside for talks with Kristjaan Speakman and Tony Mowbray, with a view to him completing a move to the Stadium of Light in the coming days.
It is stated that Sunderland have pursued a deal to sign the 21-year-old as they want to strengthen their defensive options heading into the second half of the campaign.
Daniel Ballard 2.0
Speakman could be on the verge of landing Daniel Ballard 2.0 for the Black Cats after agreeing a deal with Everton to sign Anderson this weekend.
The Sunderland sporting director played a blinder last summer as he raided Premier League side Arsenal to sign the talented young central defender.
Ballard has been restricted to nine Championship matches due to injury but has averaged a solid Sofascore rating of 6.83 in the division, whilst winning an impressive 62% of his individual duels - showing that the 23-year-old has been a dominant force at the back for Mowbray's team.
Anderson could be the next young centre-back to come in from a top-flight team to make an impact in the second tier for Sunderland as the 21-year-old has shown signs of promise at youth level for Everton.
Journalist Josh Bunting previously hailed the gem as "impressive" for the Toffees' U21 side and this is backed up by the enforcer's statistics in the EFL Trophy this season.
The left-footed warrior averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.85 across four appearances in the competition - making 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game and winning 67% of his aerial battles.
Last season, Anderson averaged a score of 6.95 and won a whopping 85% of his duels in two outings in the EFL Trophy for Everton U21s and these statistics indicate that the gem has the potential to be an excellent signing if he can translate that form to the Championship in the coming months.
The 21-year-old could be a dominant force, by winning a high percentage of his individual battles, at the heart of the Sunderland defence and, therefore, replicate the impact that Ballard has had on Wearside, whilst both players are 23 and younger and have the potential to develop further.