Sunderland face fierce competition in their pursuit of a 28-year-old attacker.
Sunderland face a huge fight to find a proven goalscorer this month, with the club not no longer prepared to rely on the likes of Nazariy Rusyn and Mason Burstow.
The Black Cats remain in pursuit of Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore, but another name that has been mentioned is Sam Gallagher.
It was reported earlier this week that the Blackburn Rovers forward is one of a number of names on Sunderland’s shortlist, having made only two starts in the Championship this season.
Gallagher joined Blackburn from Southampton in 2019 and has since scored 45 goals and provided 21 assists for the club. Though he has only reached double figures in the league on one occasion – during his loan spell at Ewood Park way back in the 2016/17 campaign.
After netting eight goals in the Championship last term, Gallagher has found himself behind Harry Leonard in the pecking order, featuring for only 243 minutes and scoring once in August.
Despite his struggles for Blackburn, Sunderland remain interested in signing the 28-year-old to solve their own problems in front of goal. However, they will face huge competition from Ipswich Town.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, Kieran McKenna’s side are eager to sign Gallagher as an ‘extra option’ in their promotion bid.
Speaking on his Patreon, Nixon said: “Ipswich want to sign Blackburn striker Sam Gallagher – but face a struggle to land him.
“Rovers would let Gallagher leave to get his wages off the payroll and Ipswich hope for permission to speak to him. But his salary may be a big problem.
“Gallagher is also on Sunderland’s hit list while Ipswich are still hoping Jay Stansfield’s loan move at Birmingham City can be hijacked.”
Meanwhile, PA Media journalist Nick Mashiter has reported that Blackburn have already rejected two bids from Ipswich for the forward – thought to be worth up to £1.5m.
Gallagher is thought to be earning around £14,000-per-week with Rovers – not far off Sunderland’s top earner Jack Clarke.
Is Sam Gallagher the answer?
Sunderland should still have around £10m from Ross Stewart’s summer exit, so they should be able to compete with other teams for top strikers this month – but Sam Gallagher is surely not where the money should be spent.
The Southampton academy graduate has only ever reached double digits in the league on one occasion – and he made his senior debut for Southampton eleven years ago.
Given that he also turns 29 years old this year, he certainly doesn’t seem worth the fee that he will likely go for towards the end of the window.
The Black Cats must not panic-buy this month, as Gallagher’s wealth of experience doesn’t mean he necessarily has the goals to back it up.
While it wouldn’t be a permanent solution, Kieffer Moore still seems our best bet. It will be a huge challenge, but he genuinely seems like one of very few names who could actually push us for a promotion charge.