Sunderland were recently ‘used’ in a transfer play, it has now been claimed.
Sunderland seem to be having a hard time in the transfer market this summer.
Last week, Sunderland signed Blondy Nna Noukeu to take their summer signings tally up to four, with all four being free agents from Championship sides.
Kristjaan Speakman has kept true to his word and added some Championship expertise this summer.
But he’s yet to sign a new striker, despite Speakman stating Sunderland’s need for a new striker earlier in the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats have been linked with several; Sunderland have been linked with Alexandre Mendy, who appears desperate to leave Caen this summer after his impressive 2023/24 campaign.
Sunderland have also been linked with Ike Ugbo who spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
Both Sunderland and Wednesday were reportedly keen on the striker. But it looks as though Sunderland will miss out on Ugbo, who appears to be set for a return to Hillsborough.
Sunderland ‘used’ against Sheffield Wednesday in Ike Ugbo transfer saga
Sheffield Wednesday were reported to have agreed a £2.5million fee with Ugbo’s parent club Troyes.
But Troyes were unhappy with the structure of said deal, which is when it was claimed that Sunderland had an interest in the player.
It’s since been claimed that Sheffield Wednesday are set to sign Ugbo, but for a fee closer to the £3million mark.
Now though, journalist Michael Graham has revealed on X that Sunderland were ‘never’ really close to striking a deal for Ugbo, and that Sunderland were ‘used’ against Sheffield Wednesday to drive the price up.
Sunderland must firm up in the transfer market
Whether or not Sunderland, behind the scenes at the Stadium of Light, thought they were in the race for Ugbo, remains to be seen.
Sunderland’s reported interest in Ugbo may well have been agent talk and it might be the case that Speakman is quietly working on other targets, hoping they don’t emerge in the media and Sunderland aren’t beaten to the signing.
Either way, Sunderland need to firm up in the transfer market; sign a new striker and give Regis Le Bris the tools he needs to succeed.
Speakman and Sunderland simply have to sign a striker this summer, and clubs know it, so they may start to hike the price as the summer transfer window nears its end, meaning Speakman must strike sooner rather than later.
A signing like Ugbo with Championship pedigree, albeit not a lot in the case of Ugbo, who’s still relatively young but experienced, would be ideal for the Black Cats.
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