Sunderland have held ‘preliminary talks’ with a Premier League star this month.
Sunderland are in desperate need of a new striker, after a turbulent first half of the campaign left their current crop without a goal until Nazariy Rusyn netted on New Year’s Day.
The Black Cats welcomed Rusyn, Luis Hemir Semedo, Eliezer Mayenda and Mason Burstow to the club in the summer, none of whom have had successful starts to their stays on Wearside.
Sunderland have so far been linked with Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore as they look to bolster their attack, with the Cherries open to loaning out the Welshman.
Moore scored 39 goals in his last 94 appearances in the Championship, but has struggled to earn himself many minutes since Bournemouth were promoted to the Premier League.
Sunderland will face stiff competition for the ‘unplayable’ 31-year-old’s signature, with the likes of Cardiff, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town all thought to be interested.
Michael Beale’s said are said to have held talks over a potential move though, while The Northern Echo have reported that the club are now waiting on Bournemouth to make a decision over his future.
Can Sunderland really land Kieffer Moore?
Both Bournemouth and Kieffer Moore will favour a move that will guarantee the forward regular first-team football, as he looks to confirm his place in the Wales squad ahead of the Euro play-offs in March.
Sunderland could provide Moore with a very tempting offer, given that a number of big clubs in the Championship already have their own attacking options.
However, the Wearside outfit are likely to face a huge challenge to beat Cardiff to his signing. Moore spent two seasons in Wales and enjoyed huge success, which could persuade him to return to his former club and the country where he plies his national trade.
Moore would be a huge signing for Sunderland if they could pull it off, with the striker offering the Black Cats something they have been severely lacking since Ross Stewart was sidelined a year ago.
It is concerning that Moore seems to be the only proven goalscorer that Sunderland have been linked with though. What happens if we don’t sign him? Will we revert to looking at young, inexperienced players who have about five senior appearances to their name?
It is a huge month for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman, and one that could really determine the fans’ opinions on them.