Sunderland will be watched eagerly as fans wait to see what they now do in the transfer window.
The Black Cats have raked in an initial £15 million fee from Jack Clarke’s move to Ipswich Town, but it remains unclear whether they will directly replace him.
The winger’s sale was a huge concern amongst fans earlier this summer, but Romaine Mundle’s goal and a brilliant team performance against Burnley has eased their worries slightly.
Sunderland have already snapped up Wilson Isidor, who it is believed can play as both a striker and a winger.
However, the club remain eager to bring in two new forwards and have just a matter of days to do so.
Journalist Phil Smith has issued an update on the Black Cats’ plans following Clarke’s move to the Premier League.
- READ MORE: Jack Clarke shares ‘special’ message to Sunderland fans after sealing £15m Ipswich Town transfer
Sunderland pursuit of Alexandre Mendy & Roko Simic
Speaking on Sunderland Echo’s YouTube channel, Smith said: “Sunderland probably want two forwards now that Clarke has gone – that’s on top of Wilson. So I think who they sign depends on who they can get.
“Sunderland like versatile forwards though, players who can play in different positions, so I think it’s more that they want two forwards rather than two out-and-out strikers.
“What might happen is they sign two strikers, which means they probably won’t replace Clarke because then you’ll have Wilson who will play more off the left and Mundle who stepped up today will definitely be taken into consideration. So I think we’ll sign two players, but I don’t know whether it’ll be a winger, a striker or two strikers.
“[Alexandre] Mendy – absolutely still in the race for, still hopeful they can do it but still a gap in valuation. Sunderland are still hoping something will happen but it’s still not guaranteed. Simic wasn’t here for a medical, but he has been here for talks. Again, I think Sunderland are shuffling their options a little but it’s definitely one that could happen.”
Can Sunderland really sign Simic?
Sunderland fans are gutted that Clarke has left, but it does seem like they could be left delighted by the club’s incomings by the end of next week.
Mendy is desperate to join the Black Cats and his goal tally is certainly one to be excited about, but it is Roko Simic that is really getting people talking.
The Croatian made six appearances in the Champions League last season, as well as bagging a goal and an assist against Benfica.
He scored six goals in 38 games for RB Salzburg, but really caught the eye when he previously scored 19 goals in only 24 games for FC Liefering.
According to calciomercato, Simic was a target for both AC Milan and Inter Milan only last year, while GOAL claimed the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Tottenham wanted him back in 2021.
Bringing Simic to the Championship sounds pretty crazy from what everyone has heard about him, but it could really give the club a huge boost in their bid for promotion.
If Sunderland can help develop Mundle and get Simic firing, then Clarke’s exit may well be forgiven.