Sunderland are once again in need of a new striker, and they might be able to return for one of their targets from last summer.
Sunderland were linked with a number of strikers last summer, with the club eventually bringing in Nazariy Rusyn, Mason Burstow, and Luis Hemir.
But the trio would go on to score just three Championship goals between them. Burstow returns to Chelsea and Hemir and Rusyn may face contested summers ahead, meaning sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has to sign at least one new striker this summer.
And Speakman may well have had his head turned by the recent news that Tom Cannon could leave Leicester City on loan this summer.
The Irishman was a target for Sunderland and a number of other teams last summer, but the Foxes blew the rest of the competition out of the water when they signed Cannon from Everton in a £7.5million deal.
He’s now attracting interest from the Championship once again ahead of the summer.
Tom Cannon attracting loan interest
Alan Nixon recently reported that Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End are both keen on possible loan deals for 21-year-old Cannon.
It comes after injury hampered Cannon’s maiden season at the King Power stadium, making just 13 Championship appearances but still managing to notch two goals as Leicester City won the title.
The Foxes are tipped to hand Jamie Vardy a contract extension ahead of next season, with names like Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho making up the rest of Enzo Maresca’s attacking options, so game time for Cannon could become very limited.
The advantage Sunderland could have in Tom Cannon race
Expect there to be a growing list of teams interested in Cannon with a loan exit from Leicester City looking likely.
But Sunderland may have a huge advantage here; they’ll be able to guarantee game time as Sunderland really don’t have a prolific no.9, and it’s also a club where young players thrive.
There’s a huge list of youngsters who’ve either joined Sunderland or come through the ranks, then going on to become really top Championship players in the process.
It’s a credit to the club for giving trust in younger players and they look set to base their next managerial appointment around someone who can continue to do that, and continue to make players into valuable assets.
But still expect Speakman to utilise the loan market. Cannon is someone who he clearly fancied last summer and Cannon will surely be keen to get back on track and play regular football after a difficult season with Leicester.
So Sunderland could be a very good fit for Cannon, and if he’s set to leave on loan this summer then Sunderland should act fast to get him over the line.