A former Sunderland loan man could now seal an eight-figure Premier League transfer this summer.
Sunderland, over the years, have had some good loan players.
Especially so in recent times with Manchester United talent Amad Diallo the pick of the bunch.
The Ivorian scored 14 and assisted three in 39 Championship appearances for the Black Cats last season, firing them to an eventual top six finish.
And another name who stood out for Sunderland last time round, albeit only in the earlier stages, was Ellis Simms.
The 23-year-old scored seven in 17 Championship outings for the Black Cats before being recalled by Everton.
He won over the hearts of fans and Sunderland tried desperately to bring him back after he went on to play a back up role for the Toffees.
But after moving on Coventry City on a permanent transfer last summer, he’s since scored 13 goals in 45 Championship outings, prompting Premier League clubs to take notice.
Former Sunderland man Ellis Simms could seal eight-figure Premier League transfer
Simms’ fine form for Coventry City this season has now made him the subject of Premier League interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
An emerging report from The Sun says that Brentford and Bournemouth both have an eye on Simms, with the Bees tipped to sell Ivan Toney this summer and the Cherries entertaining interest in Dom Solanke.
The same report adds that Coventry City paid Everton an initial fee of £3.5million for Simms, potentially rising to £5million.
Mark Robins’ side will command at least double what they paid for Simms should they cash in this summer, meaning he could be on the move for upwards of £10million.
A clean message to Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman
With Simms having shone for Sunderland, shone for Coventry City, and now being the target of a couple of Premier League teams, it shows that Sunderland were looking in the right places.
They could have really done with bringing Simms back on a permanent basis this season.
It appeared to prove too costly for the Black Cats though.
But Kristjaan Speakman and co should be confident that their methods, which helped them find the likes of Simms and Diallo, and Ross Stewart as well, can serve them well this summer.
Although there’s been some question marks over signings of Nazariy Rusyn and Luis Hemir, on the whole, Sunderland’s recruitment under Speakman has still been very good.
A new striker is desperately needed this summer, and one who can score goals at Championship level.
The Black Cats conclude their season with a game vs Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light this weekend.