Sunderland AFC transfer rumours: Veteran striker linked with switch as Jerry Yates nears move

Here, we round-up the latest transfer talk from around the Stadium of Light as we approach the beginning of the window:

Veteran striker linked

Sunderland have been linked with a move for experienced striker Adam Le Fondre.

Reports have claimed that the 33-year-old, who currently plies his trade for Sydney FC, is on the radar of both the Black Cats and rivals Portsmouth.

Le Fondre has netted 18 times in 21 games in the A-League this term and is well-known to Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson, with the duo having worked together at Bolton Wanderers.

Parkinson is in the market for a new striker this summer, having allowed Kyle Lafferty to depart following the expiration of his short-term deal.

Jerry Yates set for Blackpool

Another forward linked with Sunderland this summer is Jerry Yates – the Rotherham United man who caught the eye during a loan spell with Swindon Town last season.

But according to various reports, Yates looks set to join Blackpool for a six-figure sum.

Speaking last week, Rotherham boss Paul Warne confirmed that the Seasiders were the only club to have launched a bid for the 23-year-old.

“There might have been a few phone calls, but Blackpool are the only ones to put an official bid in,” he told the Rotherham Advertiser.

"If they reach our technical board’s valuation, then Jerry will be gone, so to speak. In the meantime, he is training with us and training really well. Because of the type of people we are, we will continue to train him as if he’s staying here.”

Ex-Black Cats on the move

Ex-Sunderland defender Jack Baldwin wasn’t the only former Black Cat on the move today.

Stopper Max Stryjek – who left the Academy of Light last summer to sign for non-league side Eastleigh – has now penned a three-year deal at Scottish top tier side Livingston.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.