Sunderland are hoping to sign a centre-forward before the January transfer window slams shut and a new name has reportedly cropped up on the club’s radar.
The Black Cats have been on quite an inconsistent run of form ever since former manager Tony Mowbray was relieved of his duties. In eight matches, the Wearside club have picked up four wins, three losses and a draw in all competitions.
Nevertheless, new head coach Michael Beale has guided Sunderland back into the playoff places but the side are currently hanging on by just a point. However, the January transfer window offers the club the chance to bolster their squad ahead of the latter months of the campaign.
One area that the Black Cats are trying to strengthen is the striker position. Sunderland have scored 36 goals this season in the Championship and talisman Jack Clarke has bagged 12 of these, which comes to 33.3% of their total goals.
Furthermore, Sunderland currently have five centre-forwards on the books: Nazariy Rusyn, Mason Burstow, Jewison Bennette, Eliezer Mayenda and Hemir Semedo. There has been just one goal between all five which came from Rusyn against Preston North End on New Year’s Day.
Now, according to The Northern Echo, Sunderland have added Blackburn Rovers striker Sam Gallagher to their list of potential targets this winter.
The former Southampton attacker has struggled for minutes at Ewood Park, having made only six appearances this season under Jon Dahl Tomasson, including five in the Championship. Regardless, Gallagher still has two goals which is more than Sunderland’s five strikers put together.
In his professional career, the now-28-year-old has scored 54 goals and registered 23 assists in 289 games, with 48 of these goals coming in England’s second tier. In addition, the striker is now said to have a market value of £1.7 million, as per Transfermarkt, which could be in Sunderland’s price range.
Writer’s View
This certainly wouldn’t be the most exciting signing for Sunderland supporters. However, Gallagher will likely be within the board’s January budget and has experience scoring quite a few goals in the Championship.
Acquiring a striker is of paramount importance for the club right now and if Gallagher is keen to move to the Stadium of Light, Sunderland should look to make it happen as soon as possible.
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