It seems Sunderland have pretty much accepted the situation that they are going down next season to the Championship. At least their transfer targets indicate something like that. According to reports, the Black Cats are plotting a summer bid for Blackburn Rovers player Sam Gallagher.
The Southampton loanee has been quite impressive this season in the Championship netting 11 goals in 39 appearances so far. Sunderland are going through desperate times now with the club fighting relegation on one hand and a financial crisis on the other.
Jermain Defoe has been a surprise package this season and his brilliant goal scoring spree has even earned him an England call-up that he made full use of. However, failing to survive relegation could pave his way out of the Stadium of Light. Sunderland are currently rock bottom of the Premier League table with 10 games to go.
Their last 10 fixtures include games against Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea and it goes without saying that David Moyes has a tremendous task on his hands. Apart from Defoe, Sunderland are also in danger of missing out on Fabio Borini if they have to travel to the other side of the league.
Sunderland’s latest target pretty much confirms how their future course of action would be. They will be facing stiff competition from Championship sides Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Cardiff City. Villa boss Steve Bruce has also gone a step ahead and tabled a £3million offer on the table for the striker.
Southampton are currently in no need of a striker with Charlie Austin, Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini filling the spaces quite well quality wise. And the Saints might be tempted to sell their forward if any interesting offer comes across them.
Gallagher isn’t likely to stay with Rovers given how terrible their season has panned out so far, which keeps Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland as his only options.
Bruce at the helm could be an influencing factor for Gallagher when he decides his next move. Moyes is unlikely to remain with Sunderland if they get relegated and things are pretty unsure on that front, something that the player would want to know before moving.
On the other hand, if Sunderland manages to survive relegation, which is not a distant possibility given they are just four points adrift from the safe zone, the Black Cats win the race clearly.
Gallagher’s contract with Southampton ends at 2018 and they are sure to cash in on him this summer. And Sunderland will have to best Aston Villa’s offer if they are willing to land him.
