Sunderland are now likely to sign talented 24-year-old midfielder permanently in summer deal.

The position of Sunderland about Callum Styles’ future has been elucidated.

Early in the January transfer season, Sunderland attempted to sign Callum Styles, but were compelled to rescind their pursuit after learning that the midfield player needed appendix surgery.

On deadline day, though, the Black Cats rekindled their interest in him and ultimately signed him to a loan agreement with the possibility to extend it for a permanent position this summer.

With Corry Evans still anticipated to be out for months, Styles was expected to play mostly in the middle.

But due to injuries to Dennis Cirkin, Aji Alese, and Niall Huggins, the 24-year-old was forced to play both left back and left wing-back.

Styles has generally struggled in a back-four, but he has recently shown some “superb” performances when playing in a back five against Leeds United and West Brom. Styles had a horrible start in the loss against Swansea City.

Since regaining full fitness, the Barnsley player has started seven games, although he hasn’t yet done so in his regular midfield position.

Will Callum Styles be a long-term Sunderland sign?
Callum Styles’ permanent status is a decision that the Black Cats will have to make with just three games remaining.

Sunderland’s “long-standing interest” in Styles suggests a transfer “could likely” be made permanent this summer, according to Chronicle Live.

According to the article, Styles’ versatility—he has played midfield for his country and could cover in defense at a position where injuries are particularly common—was the reason Kristjaan Speakman was anxious to sign him.

Even though he has only started to show promise in the last few weeks, Sunderland may now want to retain him past the summer window.

This season, Barnsley may advance to the Championship through the play-offs, but Styles would much prefer be fighting for a spot in the Premier League with Sunderland.

Next season, will he be a starter or a backup?
The Hungary international might be excellent for covering players all over the field, but I doubt he’ll be a fixture in the starting lineup come next season.

Even if he has improved significantly in recent games, he is still far behind the caliber of players like Dan Neil or Dennis Cirkin.

Next season, Aji Alese and Cirkin should have no trouble competing for the left-back position, and Neil and Chris Rigg should lock down two midfield slots. The third will probably be Jobe Bellingham, but we may also add a different defensive midfield player.

I wouldn’t complain if we did sign Styles and I still think he needs to be given a fair shot to impress in the middle of the park, but I would be far from excited by his permanent arrival.