Sunderland are said to be interested in a move to sign Cardiff City midfielder Will Vaulks according to the Daily Mail. 

The report also claims that both Bristol City and Stoke City are also interested in landing the midfielder's signature before the January transfer window closes.

Vaulks only signed for the Bluebirds in the summer of 2019, but has struggled for game time this season, having made just 12 appearances in total for the Championship side this term. 

A move elsewhere could be tempting for the 26-year-old in the January transfer window, although it remains to be seen as to whether Sunderland's interest is for a permanent deal or a loan switch.

The Black Cats have recently enjoyed an upturn in form, which has seen them move into the play-off places after an unbeaten run which stretched to seven games after a 1-0 win over MK Dons on Saturday.

We look at THREE reasons why Sunderland's reported move for Vaulks makes perfect sense this month.

Vaulks would add much-needed depth to their midfield.

Sunderland already have some strong options available to them in the centre of midfield this season, but you have to feel as though Vaulks would be a regular starter for Phil Parkinson's side if he arrived this month.

It's going to be a hectic second-half of the campaign for Sunderland, and Parkinson will be keen to rotate his squad when possible, so that he can keep his key players fit for season-defining matches.

Signing Vaulks would be a smart move, as he's shown he can perform to a high standard in the third tier, and he'd add some much-needed competition for places in the Sunderland squad for the remainder of the season.

He's shown he can play at a higher level than League One.

Vaulks previously played for Rotherham United before moving to Cardiff City in the summer of 2019, and he fully deserved a move to a Championship club.

The midfielder was a rare bright spark for the Millers in the 2018/19 season, where they were eventually relegated from the second tier after a frustrating season.

Some would probably argue that Vaulks is too good of an option to have in League One, and you have to feel as though he could be playing at a higher level.

It would be a real coup for the Black Cats if they struck a deal with the Bluebirds to land his signature this month.

He knows how to play his part in a promotion-winning side in League One.  

As previously mentioned, Vaulks was a key player for Rotherham United in his time with the club, and made 137 appearances for the Millers in total.

He played his part in Rotherham's promotion into the Championship in the 2017/18 season, and he'd fancy his chances of achieving promotion with Sunderland if he arrived in the January transfer window.

Phil Parkinson's side are in an impressive run of form at the moment, and Vaulks would add that winning mentality to a Sunderland squad that has been short on confidence at times this season.

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