Sunderland are expected to bolster their squad in this window as Michael Beale aims to assemble a side that can win promotion to the Premier League.
Despite beating Preston North End 2-0 on New Year’s Day with striker Nazariy Rusyn finally scoring his first Sunderland goal, Michael Beale is still looking to recruit in that area.
Rusyn’s smart first time finish was the first goal scored by any striker for the Black Cats this term.
Given Sunderland have eclipsed the halfway point in their campaign, it’s a miracle that they are in the play-off places with this statistic, and that is largely down to the blistering form of Jack Clarke.
Indeed, if the North East giants want to finish in the divisions top six, Beale feels signing a striker is necessary.
It was reported last week that Sunderland have added Fulham striker Jay Stansfield, who is currently on loan at Birmingham City, to their shortlist.
The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in 23 Championship appearances for the Blues, but given his form has dropped, he could be recalled from his loan prematurely and sent elsewhere.
Stansfield isn’t the only striker who is on their list of transfer targets, though, with Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland now the next name to be linked with a move across the border.
Sunderland add Lawrence Shankland to January shortlist
Sunderland have reportedly joined Rangers in the race for Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland.
The Scottish giants have been linked with the 28-year-old to fill their striker void as Danilo and Kemar Roofe find themselves sidelined with respective injuries.
However, Hearts value the striker at £3 million, according to journalist Ewen Cameron, and this means he’s financially out of the Ibrox club’s reach, at least until the summer.
Cameron also states that Sunderland have joined Championship rivals in the race for the striker with Beale looking to deal a huge blow to his former club in January by signing Shankland.
The ex-Ibrox manager invested a combined £14m to sign Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers, and Danilo in the summer but Rangers have not got a suitable return on any of the trio.
Could Shankland fix their striking woes?
In the Scottish Premiership this season, Shankland has plundered 12 goals in 20 appearances and is the divisions top scorer.
He’s shown that he can produce all types of finishes, with each of his 12 strikes equally distributed to four on his right foot, left foot and head.
Dubbed as a “great finisher” by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, Shankland is supremely clinical when the chances fall to him in the box, though there is a question mark over whether he can translate such form across to the Stadium of Light.
The Championship is undoubtedly a step up from the Scottish first division and with that comes increased expectation but Sunderland have had success shopping north of the border previously.
The Black Cats captured Ross Stewart from Ross County in January 2021 and he ended up becoming a goalscoring revelation after scoring 40 goals in 80 appearances at the club.
If Beale was to get his hands on Shankland, could he replicate the success that Stewart had during his two and a half years at the club?