Only Southend United, who have conceded 48 goals already this season, have fewer clean sheets than Sunderland in League One, which is a damning statistic for a team hoping to achieve promotion at the end of the current campaign.

The North East club made a number of defensive signings in the summer, adding Joel Lynch, Jordan Willis, Laurens De Bock, and Conor McLaughlin.

It seems as if the Black Cats are looking to bring in more reinforcements in January as, according to Azerbaijani website azerisport.com, they're in preliminary negotiations to sign Baku Sabah defender Bahlul Mustafazade.

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The report suggests that Phil Parkinson is a big fan of the defender and is hoping to bring him to the Stadium of Light when the transfer window opens at the turn of the year.

There are a few areas that need improvement in the Sunderland squad, so the Black Cats will have to carefully weigh up whether it is the right decision to make the move.

With that in mind, here are two pros and two cons of signing Mustafazade in January...

Pro: It would strengthen their defensive unit. 

Ex-Sunderland boss Jack Ross indicated in the summer he felt the key area the side needed to improve was keeping clean sheets.

They have kept just two in the league this season, which has contributed to them missing out on results in tight games so far.

Adding Mustafazade should strengthen their attacking unit and hopefully help solve that problem.

Pro: He looks like an exciting young prospect.

The 22-year-old has 50 appearances in the Azerbaijani top-flight to his name already and after coming through the age-group sides has featured four times for the Azerbaijan national team.

It is also understood the defender has drawn interest from Premier League, Bundesliga and Championship clubs, which suggests he is a talented prospect.

At 22, he should continue to develop and the signing may be one that pays real dividends in the future.

Con: He has no experience in English football. 

Mustafazade's only club experience has come in the Azerbaijani league, so there is by no means a guarantee that he will adapt well to English football.

Sunderland would be taking a risk by bringing in the centre-back in January.

Con: Interest from elsewhere may mean he isn't cheap. 

The reported attention of a host of other clubs from some top European leagues does indicate that he is a promising prospect but it also puts Sabah strong bargaining position.

You'd imagine that interest may mean a deal for Mustafazade in January is not cheap.