Latest reports from the Chronicle confirms that Sunderland are likely to go after Wigan Athletic’s striker Will Grigg who has seen minimal game time this season. The Northern Irish international is one of the fan favourites at the club but has started just ten games this season. Various other reports (Northern Echo) also cite that Sunderland have launched a bid for the striker.
A move like this might worry the Sunderland fans as signing a striker might suggest that they could look to sell Josh Maja in this window. However, reports add that Grigg is not coming as a replacement for Maja and his arrival wouldn’t affect the young striker’s situation. Manager Jack Ross went on to confirm that the player himself wishes to stay at the Stadium of Light, but the striker is yet to commit to a new deal.
Grigg though has shown that he can still be trusted as in limited starts, he has four goals and one assist to his name. The 27-year-old is a brilliant poacher and has excellent instincts in and around the box. He often looks calm when faced with a one on one situation with the goalkeeper and we feel he would be a handy addition for Sunderland.
The Northern Irish international has the experience of playing in over 250 games in the League One, and the forward played a crucial role last season for the Latics when they topped the table and got promoted to the Championship. Grigg can play as a centre forward as well as a secondary striker as his link-up play is formidable, and that’s why he has racked up a decent number of assists.
Sunderland are doing well as they are currently third in the League One, but Jack Ross cannot afford to take his foot off the gas if they want to seal the direct promotion spot. Grigg will add competition for places and could be a good contingency plan if Maja goes on to leave the club. However, the Black Cats wouldn’t want that and would hope that their influential forward can stay up until the end of the season.
Grigg also happens to be a Northern Ireland international and his experience would definitely come in handy in the later stages of the season as he has been part of sides who had to fight for promotion.
To go with that, he is still 27. Therefore, he still has decent amount of football left in him. This looks like a fantastic deal for the Black Cats, and they should go all out to sign this Wigan striker.
