Sunderland have compiled a list of strikers they want to sign this month.
Sunderland’s primary problem so far this season has been a lack of goals from their strikers.
Tony Mowbray appeared to have addressed that issue in the summer by bringing in Luis Semedo, Nazariy Rusyn, Eliezer Mayenda, and Mason Burstow.
However, none of them have made an immediate impact at the Stadium of Light.
While Jack Clarke has 12 goals from the left flank, Rusyn is the only striker to have scored for Sunderland, and it took him until New Year’s Day to do so, scoring in a 2-0 win over Preston North End.
The team is looking to sign a more experienced forward to augment the four who were brought in over the summer.
Sunderland have been linked with Fulham striker Jay Stansfield and Hearts goal machine Lawrence Shankland, with Bournemouth target Kieffer Moore the most recent name to be mentioned.
Sunderland have made early conversations over a potential deal for Moore, with Michael Beale awaiting a decision from the Cherries.
According to the Northern Echo, the 31-year-old is presently at the top of a list of targets that includes Blackburn Rovers striker Sam Gallagher.
Is Sam Gallagher a good signing?
Gallagher is a Championship veteran who has made 248 appearances at this level.
Gallagher, a powerful striker who does a lot of unselfish effort for his club, has never been a prolific forward, and those are the words Sunderland fans will not want to hear.
During his time with Blackburn, he made 214 appearances and scored 45 goals.
His greatest season in the second tier came with Rovers in 2016/17, but he still only managed 11 goals in 43 games.
Unlike Moore, who has scored 39 goals in his last 94 Championship outings, Gallagher’s clinical edge is blunted in front of goal, and he’s had a rough season this season.
The 28-year-old has been plagued by injuries, appearing just five times in the second tier and not featured for Rovers since a 2-1 defeat over Middlesbrough in September.
When completely fit, he can pose a threat by pinning opponents, dominating aerially, and rushing in-behind.
Tony Mowbray described him as a “monster of a boy who can run like the wind with a rocket in his boots” while he was under his management.
Unfortunately, Gallagher hasn’t met Mowbray’s description as well as he would have liked, and if Sunderland want their striker to score more goals, they shouldn’t look to the Southampton academy graduate.
