It is no secret that Sunderland have been after Wigan Atheltic’s striker Will Grigg for some time now. The need for a striker for Jack Ross has increased further after the Black Cats sanctioned the deal for Josh Maja who went on to join French outfit, Bordeaux. Keith Downie of Sky Sports recently gave an update on Twitter and mentioned that Sunderland are hopeful of signing the 27-year-old striker even after the Latics rejected their initial four bids.
Downie’s tweet read, ”Understand Sunderland are close to signing two strikers, one of which is Will Grigg. Four bids placed already for Grigg and SAFC are hopeful. The second striker is unknown, but one man they’ve been looking closely at is Boro’s England U19 international Stephen Walker.”
The Black Cats were linked with Grigg even before the sale of Maja to Bordeaux, so it’s understandable why Jack Ross is looking for a second striker now. Stephen Walker is typically an attacking midfielder who can play as a striker when required. The Middlesbrough player has made an appearance in the Carabao Cup for the Teessiders and is awaiting his senior team debut in the Championship.
Walker is definitely a prospect for the future, but it is imperative for the club now to pull off the signing of Will Grigg at any cost. Maja was undoubtedly the most natural goalscorer that the Black Cats had, and the 20-year-old had managed 15 goals in 24 League One games before jumping ship to play in the Ligue 1. Without a doubt, Maja was on course to have a season of 20 plus goals and replacing that many goals is going to be a significant task for the manager.
In Grigg, the gaffer is going to get a proven goalscorer at the League One level as he has over 250 appearances to his name. Last season, the Northern Irish international managed 26 goals in all competitions and Grigg played a crucial role in guiding Wigan to the Championship by winning the League One.
The striker might not have that ‘x-factor’ of Maja, but the 27-year-old is clinical in front of goal and is a brilliant goal poacher. He has the uncanny knack of finding spaces in the box and his finishing from close quarters is worth mentioning.
Sunderland fans would hope for good news in the next few days as not signing a striker in this window can derail their campaign. Wigan are likely playing hardball as they know Sunderland are in desperate need of a striker. However, latest reports would definitely make the Black Cats fans feel satisfied as the club seem confident of pulling off a deal for Will Grigg.
