Sunderland are yet to make any attacking signings, with Jack Clarke’s future still up in the air.
The winger is expected to leave in excess of £18 million this summer, but is yet to receive a bid from the many interested parties.
If Clarke is to leave, then Sunderland will surely look to bring in a suitable replacement. However, it is unlikely they will do so until it is confirmed where he will be next season.
That didn’t stop the Black Cats from exploring their options though, with the likes of Josh Murphy, Chris Willock and Liam Millar all on their radar.
With Murphy joining Portsmouth, it now looks like Millar is the only target still available.
Sunderland had previously looked likely to sign Willock, who is yet to agree a new deal at QPR.
It was reported in April that the Wearside outfit were in talks with the midfielder, but nothing seemed to come of it.
Sunderland set to miss out on Chris Willock
It now looks like they have missed out on him though, with BBC Sport reporting that he is on the brink of a move to Cardiff City.
His exit from QPR is expected to be confirmed today, having picked up 20 goals and 22 assists in four years at Loftus Road.
The report claims that Cardiff have beaten off interest from a number of other clubs to win the race for Willock this summer.
The one that got away…?
Sunderland fans seemed fairly happy with the addition of Willock when he was expected to move to the Stadium of Light.
The ‘brilliant’ 26-year-old’s versatility would have come in handy too, having played across the midfield and the front three.
It seems unlikely that he would have been the Clarke replacement, but he still would have been a massive boost to the attack.
To lose out to Cardiff is quite surprising as surely Sunderland have more potential next season, while he could have also lived closer to his brother Joe.
Sunderland will have to be patient and wait to see what develops though, with any signings still likely to depend on Clarke.