We know Sunderland are keen to add a new striker to their ranks this month, and they may have found the perfect match.
Sunderland are flying high and are firmly involved in the title race this season, but if they are to maintain that push for promotion, they’ll need to recruit like their Championship rivals.
Regis Le Bris has already made a big move by signing Enzo Le Fee on loan this month, and Sunderland’s next transfer priority is obvious: they need more firepower.
And now, it sounds like the club is moving in on one of the league’s most prolific marksmen, but they will have competition.
- READ MORE: How future transfer fee for Sunderland signing Enzo Le Fee compares to Championship records
Sunderland battling Championship rivals for Tom Cannon signing
According to Alan Nixon on Patreon, Sunderland are one of a number of second tier sides looking to exploit a break clause in Tom Cannon’s loan agreement with Stoke City that could see the Leicester City man recalled and sent out to a new club instead.
The clause expires on Wednesday, but it has caught the attention of Sunderland, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Luton Town, who are all eager to steal the 11-goal striker away from Stoke for the second half of the campaign.
Nixon wrote: “Sunderland are also keen on a deal for Cannon as they plan to gamble on a couple of expensive loan-to-buy swoops. Sheffield Wednesday and Luton have inquired about Cannon, but Blades and Sunderland may be able to offer a full-time move in the negotiations.”
It is thought that Sheffield United’s interest in Cannon will depend on whether Oli McBurnie returns to the club from Las Palmas.
Cannon was linked with a move to Sunderland in the summer, but opted to sign for the Potters instead. He has since scored against the Black Cats twice in the last month, inflicting defeat on Le Bris’ side in the league and the FA Cup.
- READ MORE: Regis Le Bris offers exciting update on when Sunderland fans will see Enzo Le Fee make his debut
Would a move to Sunderland actually make sense for Cannon?
While Sunderland fans want a new striker to be signed to support Wilson Isidor, and the idea of Cannon makes perfect sense for the Black Cats and their needs, the player himself (and Leicester City) may think otherwise.
At the moment, he is playing week in, week out as the main man for Stoke, and thriving in front of goal as a result of that.
| Statistics | Tom Cannon (2024/25) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 24 |
| Goals | 11 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Shots on target | 47.5% |
| Shots per 90 | 2.53 |
If he were to go to Sunderland instead, it is very likely his game time would be reduced, possibly even halved, with Isidor the top dog at the Stadium of Light right now.
So, would Cannon want to take that risk, even with the prospect of a permanent switch potentially being on the cards? And would Leicester want to pull their asset away from a club that is giving him regular game time and risk harming his market value?
Possibly not, but if Sunderland are serious about promotion this season, they need another striker who can deliver goals, and Cannon has proven he is more than capable of that.