One ‘special’ attacker has been named Championship Player of the Month after he was tipped to join Sunderland this summer.
Sunderland are nearly at the end of a rather disastrous campaign, while they have another couple of months until they can begin strengthening their squad.
The Black Cats will surely now look to add some experience to their young team, while they will be desperate to finally bring in a proven goalscorer after netting only 51 goals so far.
However, their biggest challenge could be keeping hold of their biggest stars.
The likes of Dan Ballard, Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson and Trai Hume have all been linked with moves to the Premier League, despite all signing new contracts over the last year.
One player who hasn’t put pen to paper on a new deal is Jack Clarke, and it now seems extremely unlikely that the winger will be at the Stadium of Light next season.
The Black Cats have already been linked with a number of replacements for the 23-year-old, though finding someone to fill the boots of a winger that can reach the numbers he can will be extremely difficult.
‘Special’ star wins award after four goals in five games
One name that has recently been tipped to make the move to Wearside is Mikey Johnston, who is currently on loan at West Brom.
Speaking on Johnston’s future last month, former midfielder Carlton Palmer said: “He’s had a fantastic time since joining from Celtic on loan.
“Yes, a lot of clubs will be taking note of the way that he’s playing, so you will be looking at clubs who will be looking at players moving on, Jack Clarke will be moving on, [Jon] Rowe will be moving on, and people will be looking at Mikey Johnston as a possible replacement.”
Johnston has caught the eye during his time at The Hawthorns, netting seven goals and providing one assist in only 14 games in the Championship.
Since Palmer mentioned the ‘special’ 24-year-old joining Sunderland, he has since gone onto be named the Championship’s Player of the Month for March.
Johnston scored four goals and bagged an assist in only five games for West Brom last month, as the Baggies won four games and drew one.
The forward was up against Leif Davis, Gabriel Sara and former Sunderland striker Ellis Simms for the award.
Should Sunderland try to sign Mikey Johnston?
Johnston will have likely attracted even more attention picking up the award, with his loan spell with the Baggies set to come to an end next month.
It is unclear whether Celtic will look to sell the winger this summer, though they could look to cash in as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
If Sunderland do decide to pursue him then they certainly won’t be the only ones, while West Brom could look to snap him up permanently – especially if they are promoted.
It could be a very solid signing for the Black Cats, and with Clarke likely to leave for double figures, they shouldn’t have much of a problem competing financially for his replacement.