Sunderland linked with 19-goal Newcastle United and Man Utd transfer target as former Black Cat finds new club

Sunderland are reportedly ‘showing an interest’ in one player that played a part in condemning the Black Cats to their first ever Europa League defeat last week.

Regis Le Bris’ side had made a positive start to their league phase campaign by collecting seven points from a home game with AZ Alkmaar and away days at Portuguese Cup holders Torreense and Polish champions Lech Poznan. Their positive run came to an end against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday night as goals from Luka Stojković and Dion Beljo helped the Croatian side earn a deserved 2-0 win on Wearside - and it is the latter that has been the subject of transfer speculation in recent days.

Beljo’s goal at the Stadium of Light took his seasonal tally to 19 goals in 20 games in all competitions for Dinamo and he has also netted at international level during the campaign after he marked his recall to the Croatia squad by scoring a penalty in a 4-1 Nations League defeat against Spain in September. Beljo will get another chance to impress potential suitors across the Premier League after he was once again named in the Croatia squad for their upcoming Nations League double header and he could be handed a place in Slavan Bilic’s starting eleven when his side face the Three Lions at Wembley on Thursday night.

A whole host of clubs are said to have been alerted to Beljo’s ability on the back of his fine run of form in front of goal and TeamTalk have claimed Sunderland have shown an interest in the striker after his impressive performance at the Stadium of Light gave them a ‘first-hand look at his qualities’. However, they will not be short of competition if they do opt to make a move for Beljo with Leeds United, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Brighton and North East neighbours Newcastle United all said to have monitored the powerful forward in person in recent weeks and months.

Join the Echo’s WhatsApp SAFC Channel for the latest news, team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join.

Former Black Cats striker joins League Two relegation battlers

Over a decade has passed since Connor Wickham left Sunderland to join Crystal Palace. Since then, the forward has gone on to spend time with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons and Cardiff City - and now, the 33-year-old has joined the 13th club of his senior career after agreeing to join League Two strugglers Crawley Town on a short-term deal.

The Red Devils are sitting at the bottom of the table in English football’s fourth tier after winning just two of their 12 league games so far this season. Wickham has now joined Crawley on a deal that will run until early January and marked his debut by coming off the bench to score a late penalty in an EFL Trophy defeat against Brentford Under-21s on Tuesday night. Wickham could now make his league debut when his new side host Fleetwood Town on Saturday week.

Your next Sunderland read: Highly-rated Sunderland prospect 'deserves' chance to shine in EFL loan