Sunderland AFC transfer news: Black Cats DID NOT try to sign £1.2m-rated ex-Lee Johnson striker in January as Simon Grayson makes interesting transfer claim

Here, we take a look at the biggest stories from around the web as Sunderland prepare for the play-offs.
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The Black Cats drew against Northampton Town at the Stadium of Light in their last league game before the play-offs to secure sixth place and will face Lincoln City in the first leg this Wednesday.

Here, though, we take you through all of the latest news and talk from around the web:

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Mo Eisa of Peterborough United celebrates after scoring his second, Peterborough's third goal during the EFL Trophy match between Peterborough United and West Ham United.Mo Eisa of Peterborough United celebrates after scoring his second, Peterborough's third goal during the EFL Trophy match between Peterborough United and West Ham United.
Mo Eisa of Peterborough United celebrates after scoring his second, Peterborough's third goal during the EFL Trophy match between Peterborough United and West Ham United.

Sunderland didn’t try to sign Peterborough United striker during last window

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Sunderland did not try to sign Peterborough United attacker Mo Eisa last January.

The striker has been placed on the transfer list at the newly-promoted club having joined for £1.2 million in 2019.

Sunderland were keen on Eisa in the summer of 2018 following their relegation to League One, but he eventually joined Bristol City – teaming up with Lee Johnson at Ashton Gate.

However, it appears that the Black Cats’ interest did not follow through to the last transfer window, with Posh director of football Barry Fry shedding some light on the situation.

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“It’s difficult to know what money will be about this summer,” Fry added. “The pandemic and no fans has stretched most clubs financially, but we will expect a fee for Mo and Ryan.

“We turned down three bids for Mo last January. Huddersfield wanted to swap him for Reece Brown, but we turned that down.

“MK Dons also wanted him, but couldn’t raise the money and Charlton showed an interest, but they’ve changed manager since then.

“I am going to have my busiest summer, but as far as signings and sales are concerned I doubt much will happen for a while.”

Former Sunderland boss Simon Grayson makes interesting transfer claim

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Simon Grayson has stated that talent alone isn’t enough to secure a move to Fleetwood Town this summer.

The former Sunderland boss took over the reins at the Highbury Stadium in February.

But when speaking about transfers in the upcoming window, Grayson made an interesting admission about his potential strategy.

He said: “I’ve spoken to a couple of players last week. But before I’d even spoken to them, I’d spoken to players who had played in the same team as them, maybe a manager that’s been above them and people behind the scenes as well.

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“That’s down to my due diligence that I want to know what they’re like as people and also as characters in the dressing room.

“We want the right types at this football club.

“We can all go through the tools you use to watch players and see what their abilities are like – how many times they cross the ball, how many times they win headers etc...

“But ultimately, it’s a feel that you get for a player when you meet them but also the background work that you do on them as well.

“It helps you over the course of a season because if you get one bad player it could be detrimental to another 18 or 19 players you’ve got in the group.”

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