Wigan Athletic handed potential Will Grigg deal boost as Sunderland striker eyed for summer transfer

However, the Dons are to be kept ‘informed’ of any developments regarding the Sunderland striker.

Grigg spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Stadium MK and caught the eye, netting eight times.

But with his loan deal set to expire in the coming weeks, Grigg is set to return to Wearside for pre-season training ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson may yet sanction another exit for the striker, who joined the Black Cats in January 2019 after a high-profile pursuit.

However, it is highly unlikely that the side will recoup the seven-figure fee they spent on Grigg to prise him away from Wigan Athletic.

MK Dons have been one of the clubs linked with a permanent move for Grigg, but Sweeting admits the club ‘might have another target’ who can fill the void left by the striker.

When quizzed on a potential move for the Northern Irish international, Sweeting told MKFM: “That will be down to me and Russ, obviously Griggy is a player we think really highly of but he doesn’t belong to us, he belongs to Sunderland.

“We don’t have as much control over that one as we might have another target, but for sure we’ll be informed on that situation.”

Were MK Dons to turn their attention to other targets, it could provide a boost to Wigan – who reports have suggested are keen to bring the forward back to the North West this summer.

The Latics look set for a busy summer under their new owners, and may have some cash to spend this summer.

They have already landed Portsmouth defender Jack Whatmough on a free transfer and have been linked with a swoop for MK Dons midfielder Scott Fraser too.

Grigg is well-known to Wigan manager Leam Richardson, who was assistant manager under Paul Cook during the striker’s highly successful spell at the DW Stadium prior to his move to Wearside.

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