A new striker looks like the priority for Sunderland going into the final week of the January transfer window, as is often the case on Wearside. Several have been linked with late moves to the club.
Wilson Isidor certainly plugged a gap in the Sunderland side when he arrived during the summer. He’s filled the void left by Ross Stewart several transfer windows ago, but Regis Le Bris knows he can’t rely on just Isidor.
An injury to the Zenit loan man could really derail the Black Cats’ season. Quite understandably then, Sunderland appear to be on the lookout for a new striker with a handful having been linked.
Recently, Sunderland were linked with Chuba Akpom, with names like Matija Frigan and the now Sheffield United striker Tom Cannon also mentioned.
Another interesting link is Emil Riis. It’s claimed that Sunderland are interested in Preston striker Riis, and Sunderland AFC News have spoke to Preston North End expert Olly Dawes to get the lowdown on the 26-year-old…
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How does Emil Riis compare to other Championship strikers?
Dawes: “You almost have to split Riis’ time at Preston into three parts, the first of which was a tricky first season after arriving from Denmark. Riis struggled for goals but his raw pace gave us something different.
“The second part saw him kick on and score plenty of goals, sparking a big-money bid from Middlesbrough in 2022 – an offer we rejected.
“Riis looked to be heading towards the upper echelons of Championship strikers but suffered a major knee injury in January 2023. That kept Riis out of action for almost a year and his game has changed a little since coming back.
“Riis isn’t as much of a threat with his pace anymore but has been a real penalty box poacher – as he showed against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
“This version of Riis may not be at the very top in the Championship but he is certainly a player who can score goals at this level.”
Would Emil Riis even get into the XI at Sunderland?
Dawes: “I don’t see why not at this level. Eight goals in 29 games this season – of which only 21 have been as a starter – is a pretty good return in a team which doesn’t exactly create tons of chances.
“I would have to question whether he could make an impact in the Premier League if Sunderland were to win promotion but at Championship level, he can score goals.”
How much do you think Emil Riis would cost Sunderland?
Dawes: “Riis is now into the final six months of his contract, so we aren’t exactly expecting a huge fee now. An offer around £1million to £1.5million would probably land Riis at this point, which is nowhere near the money we were offered for him in 2022 but his contract situation leaves Preston in a difficult position.
“When you consider the fee Hull City just paid for Kyle Joseph, or Huddersfield Town spending £3million on a striker in League One, Riis could actually be great value.”
Sunderland fans can see Riis in action for Preston on Friday in a Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers. Meanwhile the Black Cats don’t play until Monday when they head to Middlesbrough.