Sunderland have been linked with a number attacking targets in recent weeks.

Sunderland are yet to make any signings so far this January transfer window, but that doesn’t mean that there haven’t been plenty of names linked with the Stadium of Light.

While Regis Le Bris remains outwardly and typically calm about the Black Cats’ recruitment plans, reports continue to pile up, with some purported targets perhaps more realistic than others.

One player who was somewhat speculatively linked earlier this week was Tammy Abraham. The striker is currently on loan at Turkish side Besiktas from AS Roma, where he has enjoyed a productive spell, scoring 12 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions so far this term. For their part, however, Roma are understood to be open to allowing Abraham to return to England this January, and to that end Sunderland have been mentioned as a potential destination.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, however, any hopes of the 28-year-old arriving on Wearside over the coming weeks may be rapidly diminishing, with Aston Villa closing in on a deal instead. Abraham spent a loan stint at Villa Park earlier in his career, scoring 26 times in 40 outings in the process, and it would appear that a reunion could be on the cards.

Writing on X, Romano said: “Tammy Abraham has opened doors to Aston Villa move as personal terms are not an issue. Villa, working on new striker after [Donyell] Malen left to join AS Roma - no agreement or deal done yet with Besiktas.”

Any agreement for Abraham would require Roma to first end his loan spell with Besiktas, but provided an agreement can be reached, it would seem that the player himself would favour a move to the Midlands, bringing to an end his four-year absence from the English game.

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Crystal Palace close in on Sidiki Cherif

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace could be about to beat Sunderland to the signing of another striker target, with Eagles having reportedly reached an agreement to sign Angers SCO talent Sidiki Cherif.

The Black Cats have been touted as admirers of the 19-year-old in the past, as have local rivals Newcastle United, but according to RMC Sports journalist Fabrice Hawkins, as relayed by OneFootball, it is Oliver Glasner’s side who look to win the £22 million race for his signature.

On the continent, the likes of AC Milan and Stuttgart have also been credited with an interest in Cherif, who is a product of Angers’ youth academy, and who has netted four goals across 17 Ligue 1 appearances so far this term.

Should Cherif sign for Palace, he will become the club’s second signing of the January window, following former Tottenham Hotspur winger Brennan Johnson to Selhurst Park. Sunderland will host last year’s FA Cup winners at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

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