Sunderland are often found wanting new strikers in the transfer market. Now, after a double update on the transfer front, a new striker could be at the top of Kristjaan Speakman’s to do list before deadline day.
Sunderland’s striker woes from the last two years have been alleviated by the goals of Wilson Isidor this season. But depth in that position remains an issue with Isidor and Aaron Connolly being Regis Le Bris’ only two first-team strikers with any experience.
Now though, Millwall want to sign Connolly from Sunderland in January. That should become very alarming news for Sunderland who’d surely then need to dip into the market to sign another striker before deadline day.
Several names have been linked, including a couple of exciting ones of late. Ben Brereton Diaz has been linked with Sunderland, though Sheffield United seem to be leading that race. Elsewhere, long-term target Tom Cannon is once again on the Black Cats’ radar. Per Capology, he earns £8,000-a-week at Leicester City.
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Trey Ogunsuyi latest could spell Sunderland striker plans for January
Connolly isn’t the only striker who could leave the Stadium of Light in January. Recent reports state that Trey Ogunsuyi could leave Sunderland on loan before deadline day. The Liverpool-linked striker made his senior debut against Stoke over the weekend.
With Le Bris seemingly having no plans to integrate Ogunsuyi into the first-team anytime soon, and of course Connolly possibly leaving, it may all but confirm that Sunderland are set to sign a striker in the remainder of the window.
It’s certainly easier said than done. But Sunderland simply can’t go the second half of the season relying solely on Isidor up front. With strikers on their radar, more emerging links and news seem inevitable in the coming weeks. Cannon at Leicester City though may be the one that Kristjan Speakman hones in on.
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Door open for Sunderland to sign Tom Cannon after Ruud van Nistelrooy update
Sunderland were linked with Cannon in the summer of 2023, before he sealed a £7.5million move from Everton to Leicester City. He played a bit part role for the Foxes in 2023/24 before joining Stoke City on loan ahead of this 2024/25 campaign.
The Irishman has plenty of interest from higher up in the Championship, and now Foxes boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has discussed Cannons’ future, suggesting a January move is on the cards.
He said: “He’s one on the list for us. We keep a close eye on him. Tom’s situation is closely assessed. There are decisions to be made on that. It’s still a possibility [he stays at Stoke]. But we’re looking at what is best for his situation and what is best for the club.”
The 22-year-old Cannon has scored nine goals in 22 Championship outings for the Potters. Cannon also scored in Stoke City’s FA Cup win over Sunderland last time out.
But this emerging news regarding Connolly, Ogunsuyi, and Cannon could see Sunderland really push for the latter, and further bolster their promotion credentials following the impressive loan signing of Enzo Le Fee.