Harry Wilson was targeted by Leeds United on deadline day (Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Nowadays, the January market is so often seen by Premier League clubs not as a window of opportunity, but one of rescue.

If a team is in dire need of a revamp or requires cover for a certain position, they are likely to be more active than those who are trotting along fine. This can accelerate during years in which the Africa Cup of Nations is held depending on its dates.

Usually planted in the middle of the European season, the likes of Mohamed Salah, Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo have left their clubs to represent their nations at AFCON in previous years.

Teams who have a number of African players tend to be more willing to move for players in the January market. Sunderland are the Premier League club to have the most players from the continent in their squad - nine.

The number of players set to jet off could be the full quota or just under depending on squad selection. Regardless, that is set to be a big chunk of the squad missing for late December and half of January.

Sunderland’s low...