Sunderland find themselves in a similar situation as they enter the final two weeks of the transfer window.
The Black Cats appeared to kick off their search for a new striker fairly late into the summer, with a bid being launched for Alexandre Mendy in July.
That was a month ago now though, and the club don’t look much closer to signing Mendy – or any striker, for that matter.
Sunderland were forced to rely on Eliezer Mayenda up front in their Championship opener against Cardiff City, while the Spaniard could be given another chance this weekend if no additions are brought in.
Kristjaan Speakman has previously made the excuse that every club is looking for a new No.9 and there just isn’t enough to go around, but plenty of Sunderland’s league rivals have got deals for a new forward sealed by now.
Unless the Black Cats are keeping all of their pursuits well wrapped up, it doesn’t even seem like they have been too interested in trying to sign those that have now been snapped up either.
Here are five strikers that Sunderland should have targeted before earning themselves moves elsewhere.
- READ MORE: Sunderland have ‘concrete interest’ in Championship attacker, Leeds United and Norwich keen
Five strikers Sunderland should have signed but didn’t
Brandon Thomas-Asante
The Ghana international first earned himself a move to the Championship when he claimed six goal contributions in the first six games of Salford City’s 2022-23 season.
Thomas-Asante scored eleven goals in 41 games for West Brom last season before Hull City came in for him.
The Yorkshire outfit were set to seal a surprise deal for the forward, before Coventry City hijacked the move and snapped him up for a ‘bargain’ fee of less than £2m.
Thomas-Asante may have wanted to stay close to the Midlands, but could have been a good signing for any club in the second division.
Macaulay Langstaff
Langstaff has attracted interest in recent years, having scored 88 goals in 132 league matches over the last three seasons.
Sunderland were briefly linked with the 27-year-old, who may well have considered a move after spending the first 18 years of his life in the north-east. However, Millwall went onto sign him for £700,000 last month.
It would have been a risk relying on a striker making the jump up from League Two, but would have seemed like a bargain if he was able to score goals.
Sam Greenwood
Another forward who could have been tempted by home comforts is Greenwood.
The Sunderland academy product spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough and picked up eight goal contributions, including a goal at the Stadium of Light.
Greenwood was made available again this summer and went onto join Preston North End on loan.
Tyrese Campbell
Campbell has been plagued with injuries in recent years, hence why Stoke City decided to let him go. However, he is clearly a very talented goalscorer.
The 24-year-old has 31 goals and 16 assists in 142 appearances in the Championship, before he became a free-agent at the end of last season.
He could have been a real coup for Sunderland, but went onto sign for Sheffield United.
Tommy Conway
Conway would have been on the pricier side, but could have been a very good signing.
The forward has scored 19 goals in the last two seasons for Bristol City and now looks set to join Middlesbrough.
It is believed Boro will pay around £4.5m for his signature, while they also still have Emmanuel Latte Lath on their books. It is a big boost to their promotion hopes.