Sunderland manager, Chris Coleman have arrived at the club to make an immediate impact and lift them out of the relegation spot. After last year’s battle in the Premier League, the club had anticipated a return to the top tier of English football but has failed monumentally under former manager, Simon Grayson.
With more than half of the games left in the Championship, Sunderland are in dire need of wins as the fans grow more and more hostile in the Stadium Of Light.
Reports have emerged that the Black Cats, are looking to bolster their attack by signing Bolton Wanderers’ top goal scorer Gary Madine in January. The 27-year old’s current contract is set to end by the June of 2019.
Coleman currently has to work with Lewis Grabban up top who is on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth. The Cherries have the option to call Grabban back in January, which they might be doing by his recent run of form. He has also attracted attention from other Championship sides, Fulham and Wolves.
With strikers like James Vaughan and Duncan Watmore failing to make an impact for Sunderland, Coleman will need an able finisher to dig them out of the 23rd spot in the Championship.
Gary Madine has netted the ball 6 times in 21 appearances for Bolton this season, along with 5 assists. His unselfish attitude paired with his physical prowess will work well to provide a threat in the opposition box.
Now the real concern lies in Bolton’s plans for their leading man up top and whether they will be ready to sell him to a side they are just a meagre 2 points ahead of. Sunderland are also not exactly well equipped to pursue such high profile targets.
Coleman will have to work within the means provided and look for cheaper and more realistic options in order to execute his plans with the club. He can look for possible loan moves for Liverpool duo, Ben Woodburn and Danny Ward who he has previously worked with while managing the Wales national team.
A possible move can also be made for former Sunderland player currently in Derby County, Darren Bent. He has a remarkable record with the red and whites scoring 36 goals in 63 appearances. His services can be called upon in January even though his contract ends in June 2018 and can be signed up for free.
Liverpool striker, Danny Ings might a distant possibility as the 25-year-old grows more and more frustrated on the bench under Jurgen Klopp.
