BREAKING: Middlesbrough is the “top drawer” transfer target that Sunderland lost out on in January.

Another January transfer target for Sunderland has signed a new team, this one not too far from Wearside.

This month, Sunderland isn’t having much luck in the transfer market.

Although fresh players are being linked to the Black Cats, it appears that they are passing on almost all of them. Names like Amad Diallo, Jay Stansfield, and Kieffer Moore are linked to Sunderland but don’t appear likely to sign.

Luke Thomas is now another name connected to a January transfer to Sunderland, however he has now joined a new team.

Luke Thomas, a Sunderland target, signs a loan deal with Middlesbrough

Luke Thomas, the “top drawer” left-back for Leicester City, was linked to Sunderland when he returned from an uneventful loan spell with Sheffield United during the first part of the season.

With Dennis Cirkin still recovering from an injury and Niall Huggins declared out for the remainder of the season, the Black Cats are in dire need of left-backs.

However, Thomas has been loaned to Middlesbrough, Sunderland’s northeast neighbors, till the end of the season, as of this afternoon.

Luke Thomas, the “top drawer” left-back for Leicester City, was linked to Sunderland when he returned from an uneventful loan spell with Sheffield United during the first part of the season.

With Dennis Cirkin still recovering from an injury and Niall Huggins declared out for the remainder of the season, the Black Cats are in dire need of left-backs.

However, Thomas has been loaned to Middlesbrough, Sunderland’s northeast neighbors, till the end of the season, as of this afternoon.

But Styles perhaps being limited to left-back may mean that Sunderland now have to find recruits in other areas of the pitch, such as in the middle of the park where Styles can also play.

A new striker should also remain a priority for the Black Cats who are struggling for form right now; they’ve lost their last three in all competitions and currently sit in 10th place of the Championship table, after a 1-0 defeat against Hull City last time out.

Beale remains a man under pressure and his side face another tough task against Stoke City at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

If Beale and Sunderland continue to miss out on signings like Thomas, it may well be a tricky second half of the season for the Black Cats.