Sunderland are now working on a deal to sign Ike Ugbo from French second tier side Troyes, it has been reported recently.
Kristjaan Speakman has been linked alongside several strikers already this summer, with Sunderland working on a deal to sign Alexandre Mendy from Caen following his 22-goal haul in Ligue 2 last season.
But a deal for Mendy appears to have some difficulties, and the Black Cats now appear to have turned their attentions elsewhere in the transfer market.
On Friday, it was revealed that Sunderland are now in race to sign Ike Ugbo from French second tier side Troyes, who were recently reinstated to Ligue 2 following Bordeaux’s demotion to the third tier following bankruptcy.
Ugbo, 25, spent time on loan with both Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday last season, though it was with the latter where he shone.
Canadian international Ugbo scored seven goals in 18 Championship outings for the Owls, playing a key role in their great escape under manager Danny Rohl.
Sunderland handed potentially worrying update in pursuit of Ike Ugbo
Sheffield Wednesday are desperate to re-sign Ugbo this summer, and it’s claimed that the Owls have agreed a £2.5million fee for his signature.
But Troyes are unhappy with the structure of said deal and that has allowed Sunderland to move into the race, and possible ahead of Wednesday.
Journalist Alex Miller has now shed some light on Sheffield Wednesday’s feelings behind the scenes with regards to Ugbo.
He’s revealed that Hillsborough officials still feel confident that they get a deal over the line for Ugbo, with Ugbo previously reported to be open to returning to Sheffield Wednesday this summer.
Sunderland facing potential Ike Ugbo frustration this summer
Sunderland fans and indeed Regis Le Bris will have been hoping to see their side bring in a new striker by now.
Once again, Speakman is leaving it late, and the chances of a panic buy later in the window appear to be growing.
Ugbo though is an interesting link; he’s a striker who shone in the Championship last season, playing in an aggressive and front-foot Wednesday side.
£2.5million is a sizeable fee for a Championship club and so Sunderland must be sure about Ugbo’s ability.
It could be down to whether or not Troyes let Ugbo have any say in the matter; expect Wednesday to do all they can in this pursuit and change the structure of their deal.
If they do so, and Wednesday and Sunderland have similar deals on the table, then it could come down to preference, which could mean Ugbo returning to Hillsborough and Sunderland missing out.