Kristjaan Speakman faces one of the most pressurising transfer deadline days yet after a disappointing morning in Sunderland.
The Black Cats looked extremely confident about signing a new striker at the start of the week, with three players to choose from on their shortlist.
Sunderland had had several bids knocked back for Alexandre Mendy but were still said to be interested, while he had made it clear he was desperate to move to Wearside.
They had also held talks with RB Salzburg’s Roko Simic, but it was believed he had plenty of options himself.
Finally, the Championship club had submitted a £5 million bid for Leicester City’s Tom Cannon, but face huge competition for his signature.
It was believed that they could surely sign at least one of those strikers, but the past couple of hours have left fans’ hopes dwindling.
Mendy is believed to be staying at Caen and has trained with the first-team today, while the most recent report has claimed that Simic is close to joining Cardiff City on a permanent deal.
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Sunderland set for hectic Deadline Day
Sunderland could now be relying on Cannon, who journalist Michael Graham believes could be the subject of a ‘bidding war’ tomorrow.
When asked on X whether there had been any movement with the 21-year-old, Graham wrote: “Not that I know of. Suspect Cannon will be a deadline day mover as Leicester want a bidding war.”
There has been no indication of whether Leicester have responded to Sunderland’s offer, but it is believed that Hull City have also sent a similar bid.
Sunderland should have an advantage in Tom Cannon race
With Sheffield United also keen, the three clubs could now battle it out for his signature tomorrow.
If Jack Clarke hadn’t left last week then the Black Cats would have absolutely no chance, but they should be able to offer a decent fee in hope of luring Cannon to the Stadium of Light.
Hull will have plenty of cash in their kitty too though after selling their key players, while the Blades have their parachute payments.
Cannon would surely be tempted by Sunderland’s early success this season though, while he is guaranteed to play regular football week in week out.
If Kyril Louis-Dreyfus wants to sign Cannon then he needs to go all in, because he can’t get cold feet halfway through a bidding war then be left with a matter of hours to find an alternative.