Sunderland and Sheffield United are battling for promotion to the Premier League this season. But the two rivals are also battling to sign Leicester City striker Tom Cannon right now.
On New Year’s Day, Sunderland set the tone for 2025 with a win over the Blades. Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1 in a really positive performance, and Regis Le Bris’ side won the following game against Portsmouth.
Now, the Black Cats find themselves just four points off the top of the Championship table, still in 4th place. And the feel good factor at the club right now has been elevated by the loan arrival of Enzo Le Fee from Roma.
It could soon get even better for the Black Cats though, with the club working hard to sign Tom Cannon. Sunderland are ready to pay £13million for Cannon, providing the deal is an initial loan move and that Sunderland earn promotion to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United are ready to pay £7million for Cannon in this January transfer window. Where he ends up remains a mystery.
Leicester City recall Tom Cannon amid Sunderland and Sheffield United interest
Now it looks like Sunderland and Sheffield United’s fight to sign Cannon will really get underway with Leicester City having officially recalled the 22-year-old. The Foxes posted on X on Wednesday morning confirming the news.
It’s a huge blow for Stoke under new manager Mark Robins. Cannon had scored nine goals in 22 Championship outings in the first half of the 2024/25 season, including a goal against Sunderland in the FA Cup over the weekend.
With more than two weeks left of the window, there’s plenty of time for Sunderland to land Cannon. Likewise, there’s plenty of time for Sheffield United and any other interested team to get a deal over the line.
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Leicester City cutting it fine over Tom Cannon recall
It was revealed by Alan Nixon earlier in the week that Leicester City only had until midnight on Tuesday night to make up their mind over a recall for Cannon.
Clearly, the Foxes made up their mind a while before Wednesday’s official announcement. Now, we’re bound to see the race for his signature really heat up, and it seems like Sheffield United and Sunderland are the clear front-runners right now.
Leicester may well fancy Cannon for the 2025/26 season with relegation a big possibility. But they might want a sale this month to bolster their survival push in the Premier League. What the Foxes prefer could play a huge part in where Cannon ends up in January.