Sunderland look set to miss out on Everton’s Tom Cannon.
The striker is closing in on a season-long loan move back to Preston North End this summer, according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon.
Cannon had caught the Black Cats’ eye after his stellar six month spell at Deepdale last season, in which he netted eight goals in the Championship.
Sunderland were one of a number of clubs eager to sign Cannon this summer, with Everton reportedly open to sending him back out on loan once they had secured a replacement.
The Toffees were demanding a £1 million loan fee for the ‘brilliant’ attacker, though it looked like Sunderland were prepared to pay it as they target more attacking reinforcements.
However, Tony Mowbray may have to look elsewhere once again after Nixon claimed that Preston had won the race to re-sign the 20-year-old.
Sunderland will go into the Championship with one available striker yet again
Despite signing two strikers this summer, Sunderland are set to head into their opening day clash with Ipswich Town with only one fit forward.
The Black Cats confirmed the arrival of Eliezer Mayenda last week, however their injury luck continues as the 18-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in his first training session on Wearside.
Mayenda’s absence means Tony Mowbray only has Luis Hemir Semedo to choose from this weekend, though thankfully the youngster has looked very impressive during pre-season.
The club are clearly trying to bring in a new addition, but it remains a huge concern if they haven’t learned their lesson from last season.