Sunderland’s attempts to sign a striker have been well-documented this summer. As the Black Cats enter the final fortnight of the transfer window, the only attacking reinforcement they have secured comes in the form of out-and-out winger Ian Poveda, and Regis Le Bris has started the new campaign with just Eliezar Mayenda, Nazariy Rusyn, and Luis Hemir as his options through the middle.
Addressing the ongoing hunt for a goalscorer during a press conference on Friday, the Frenchman said: “Nothing is close at the moment. We are working really hard, we’re in discussions with many players in and out. We are confident, this market is very difficult, the process is complex but I think we will succeed maybe in the next few days.”
He added: “We are working on it. It is not an easy market really because there are many, many teams are searching for this profile - a player who is able to score, to run in behind. It’s difficult but I think we will succeed. I know this market and it is difficult, we need to work hard and stay confident. We need to keep our consistency and our idea, and then you know that in the last second it can happen.”
To that end, several targets have already come - and in some cases - gone. Whether it be the experienced marksman that many supporters are crying out for, or promising Premier League starlets who would be more likely to join on loan, Sunderland have had several names linked in recent weeks, but so far to no avail.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a closer look at the centre forwards who have emerged as reported targets on Wearside of late to see which are still available and which are very much out of reach. Check out the full list below.
5. Will Lankshear
According to Sports Illustrated, Sunderland registered an interest in Lankshear earlier in the summer, but as yet, nothing concrete has materialised. | Getty Images
6. Sinclair Armstrong
A fleeting one from earlier in the window, Bristol Live suggested that Sunderland had shown late interest in Armstrong, but by that time his medical with Bristol City was already booked. | Getty Images
7. Daniel Jebbison
One from Sky Sports, who suggested that the Black Cats were one of several clubs looking at a potential loan swoop for Jebbison. Since then, HITC have reported that Sunderland are already out of the running in the view of the striker's parent club, Bournemouth. | Getty Images
8. Manuel Benson
A winger rather than a striker, but an interesting attacking link nonetheless. The Daily Express claim that Sunderland are battling Leeds United and Norwich City for the Burnley star's signature this summer. | Getty Images