Sunderland have suffered yet another blow in their pursuit of Kieffer Moore.
The Black Cats seem to have been banking on signing the Bournemouth striker, having lodged a loan bid for him earlier in the window.
Michael Beale‘s side don’t seem to have been linked to many other forwards this month, but they have looked increasingly likely to miss out on Moore on deadline day.
While Moore had looked set to stay at the Vitality Stadium after travelling with the match-day squad to London for tonight’s game against West Ham, there is still the possibility of him moving to the Championship – but not to Wearside.
According to journalist Kris Temple, Bournemouth are hoping to sign Getafe striker Enes Unal on loan, which could then see Moore join Ipswich Town.
On X, he wrote: “Final day potential movement for #AFCB. Chasing a deal for Getafe & Turkey striker Enes Űnal, loan with an option.
“IF they can get him, Kieffer Moore set to join Ipswich on loan.”
Have Sunderland made another mistake in the transfer window?
It was previously reported that the interested parties, including Sunderland, weren’t willing to cough up the wage contribution required to lure Kieffer Moore away from Bournemouth.
It is extremely frustrating if the Black Cats have lost out to Ipswich because of this, while it is even more frustrating that Kieran McKenna’s side will have signed two of Sunderland’s attacking targets – with AFC Wimbledon’s Ali Al-Hamadi also joining the club.
It is understandable that Ipswich look likely to win promotion to the Premier League, but Sunderland still have some pull and the board should be putting in more of an effort to bring these type of players in.
There are already very few strikers around and Sunderland fans knew that putting all your eggs in Moore’s basket was a huge risk, and it could be a very costly one for the club’s play-off hopes.