Sunderland’s ongoing transfer pursuit for attackers could be made difficult due to one key issue.
The Black Cats’ transfer window has seen them already bring in the blockbuster signing of Enzo Le Fee, with Sunderland hoping to follow up the Roma loanee with a striker signing.
Many names have been thrown into the hat as potential attackers for Sunderland to sign this January, with Tom Cannon and Ben Brereton Diaz being linked earlier on in the window, however Sheffield United managed to swoop in to sign both of the Black Cats targets.
Sunderland have also looked to pursue a move for Ajax and former Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom, but it has now been reported that the attacker is unwilling to make a move to Wearside.
Following the revelation, one journalist has highlighted a key reason as to why the striker, as well as others may be turning down a move to ply their trade on Wearside this season.
Michael Graham highlights why strikers may turn down Sunderland this January
In recent years, Sunderland have had plenty of difficulty in attaining strikers, with Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda proving to be the Black Cats’ first Championship-proven attackers to play for the club since Ross Stewart.
It is the current form of the current Sunderland pair up top that could prove to cause issues in the January transfer window, with journalist Michael Graham suggesting that their quality can be both a blessing and a curse this window.
On X, Graham said: “If you’re a striker now and Sunderland want you, you’re looking at them, seeing two strikers at the club already playing, performing, and commanding the trust of the coach, and you’re suddenly wondering how good an opportunity it is for you.”
Both Isidor and Mayenda have scored a combined 12 goals so far in the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
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Current Sunderland striker pursuit will filter out players with incorrect mentality
It is undeniably true that some strikers looking towards Sunderland as an option for their next destination will see the abilities of both Mayenda and Isidor as a hindrance, purely down to their lack of guarantee for game time.
Whilst this will undeniably deter players away from the Stadium of Light, this will in turn be a blessing as that is simply the mentality of a player that Regis Le Bris and Kristjaan Speakman will not want in-and-around the Sunderland squad.
Sunderland’s striker options at this moment are more than good enough, and whilst it isn’t crucial that an extra one is added for the sake of it, an attacker with Championship quality and the desire to fight for a place would be a worthwhile addition to Le Bris’ squad.