Sunderland will once again target striker signings during this summer’s transfer window.
Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is under pressure to deliver results in the transfer market this summer.
Perhaps more than anything, though, he needs to give new manager Regis Le Bris a no.9 who can score goals for Sunderland next season.
The Black Cats have desperately needed a prolific forward for the last few windows now; despite signing three last summer, none of which prevailed.
Speakman brought the likes of Nazariy Rusyn, Luis Hemir, and Mason Burstow (loan) to the Stadium of Light last summer, but the trio scored just three Championship goals between them.
Le Bris will be eager to see another one or two striker additions this summer and the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament may be a good place for the Black Cats to cast an eye.
And there’s one name who’s just been eliminated from the Euros, has been previously linked with Sunderland, and has been tipped to leave his current club this summer.
Previous Sunderland target Lawrence Shankland backed to leave Hearts
Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland earned himself a spot in Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad this summer, after netting 24 goals in the Scottish top flight last time round.
He scored the same amount in the 2022/23 campaign as well, but Shankland was limited to substitute appearances in each of Scotland’s three group games before their elimination.
Amid interest from the likes of Rangers, former Premier League striker Paul Dickov has tipped Shankland to leave Hearts this summer, with his contract out in 2025.
Dickov has also tipped Shankland to potentially move to England, saying: “A lot of teams are going to be interested in him and not just in Scotland, I’d be shocked if Championship or even Premier League teams didn’t enquire about him.
“He has scored a lot of goals over the last few seasons, he’s a talented boy, with great all-round game as well as finishing ability.”
Kristjaan Speakman must bring Lawrence Shankland to Sunderland this summer
Shankland was linked with a possible summer move to Sunderland just a few months ago.
And for Sunderland, the situation hasn’t changed; they still need a striker. Now with a manager in place, the club can really work on transfer matters.
At 28, Shankland is arguably out of the age range of players that Sunderland and Speakman want, and he also lacks that Championship experience that the club needs.
So there’s certainly risk involved. But Sunderland only need to look at Ross Stewart, his record in Scotland and his eventual goals for Sunderland, to see why Shankland could be a top signing.
The Scottish top flight and the Championship are often deemed fairly similar in terms of quality and Shankland’s goals tally in the last two seasons can’t be ignored.
In the league last season, Shankland averaged 1.4 shots on target-per-game, with 0.6 of those ending in goals.
21 of his 24 goals came from inside the box with five of those being headers, six with his weaker left foot, and 13 with his right foot, showcasing his poacher’s ability and his weak foot ability inside the area.
Depending on Sunderland’ style of play next season, a poacher-type striker who sits inside the box could be ideal for Sunderland and Le Bris; if not then it gives Le Bris the option of changing shapes and styles.
Whether the Black Cats can win the race for Shankland’s signature remains to be seen. But now in the final year of his Hearts contract, he surely won’t break the bank.