Sunderland have less than a week remaining in the January transfer window to make further additions to their squad before it slams shut.

Tony Mowbray and Kristjaan Speakman have already swooped to sign Pierre Ekwah on a permanent deal from West Ham United, but he may not be the final arrival at the Stadium of Light this month.

Journalist Alan Nixon recently claimed (via Patreon) that the Black Cats are closing in on the signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Ateef Konate on loan until the end of the season.

The Wearsiders look set to beat Championship rivals Bristol City and Stoke to land the gem's signature, and the 21-year-old could be a replacement for injured attacker Elliot Embleton.

The current Sunderland midfielder suffered an ankle fracture and ligament damage in a Championship clash against Hull in December and it remains to be seen if he will be back in action before the end of the season, which opens up the door for a player to come in and take his place in the squad.

Konate could be the man to do that, as a loan move to Wearside until Embleton is back fit and ready to play - potentially for the start of the 2023/24 campaign - could be a shrewd move by Speakman.

Journalist Josh Bunting commented on the potential deal, tweeting: "Ateef Konaté has been really impressive for Nottingham Forest at 21 level, fits the model at Sunderland. Has so many qualities, he needs a loan move and I feel we are the best possible team to help him develop right now. Will fit right in with the young French lads #SAFC."

As Bunting referenced, having Ekwah, Edouard Michut, Abdoullah Ba and Isaac Lihadji - who are all compatriots of Konate - could help him to settle into life on Wearside.

Along with his experience of English football with Forest, that could allow the midfielder to hit the ground running and make an instant impact in the second half of the campaign in place of the stricken Embleton.

The French youngster, who was once dubbed "impressive" by Josh Bunting, has scored six goals and produced one assist in seven Premier League 2 matches for Forest this season, after managing seven goals and seven assists in 23 appearances in the division last term.

These statistics indicate that the 21-year-old offers a goal threat from midfield whilst also being able to create for his team-mates, and the Frenchman could replace the quality that Embleton provided from the middle of the park at the Stadium of Light if he can make the step up to first-team level.

The current Sunderland ace scored eight goals and set up a further six in 38 League One appearances for the club last season, and Speakman can now find another attacking midfielder who can deliver goals and assists on a semi-regular basis by signing Konate to take the 23-year-old's position whilst he is out injured.