THREE summer signings to bolster Sunderland’s attack
By Noah Worthy
Sunderland striker woes have been well documented this season, with their four first-team strikers combining for a calamitous three goals.
Since the departure of Ross Stewart, the Black Cats have failed to fill the void of the ‘Lochness Drogba’ and will certainly be looking to do this in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Here at Sportsbyte, we have taken a look at three potential strikers who could put an end to the striker drought on Wearside.
Troy Parrott – Spurs
Previously linked to Sunderland back in 2022, Parrott was one of the bright sparks in a dismal Excelsior Rotterdam side that finished 16th in the Eredivisie last season.
After joining the Dutch side in the summer of 2023, the Republic of Ireland international managed an impressive 10 goals in 24 appearances.
The striker is also no stranger to the Championship, having endured 2 loan spells at Millwall and Preston North End.
Parrott will return back to Spurs following the conclusion of his loan, and a permanent departure is looking increasingly likely. Valued at £3.4 million on Transfermarkt, the forward could be a cheap and smart pickup for the Black Cats.
Tom Cannon – Leicester City
Cannon joined Championship winners Leicester City last summer from boyhood club Everton and has seen very little game time since – making 13 appearances, with a large amount of these minutes coming from the bench.
The frontman impressed on loan at Preston North End in 2023, scoring 8 goals in 20 appearances, showing a goalscoring instinct that Sunderland currently lacks.
With the 21-year-old signing a five-year deal at the King Power last year, any move for Cannon will likely be a loan deal.
Jay Stansfield – Fulham
The young Englishman had a pivotal 23/24 loan spell with Birmingham City, scoring 12 goals and assisting twice in a relegated Blues side. Stansfield will likely have his sights on another Championship move, opening the door to Sunderland.
Despite Fulham having renewed Stansfield’s contract, keeping him at Craven Cottage until 2027, there will likely be no place for the 21-year-old next season due to the recent exploits of Rodrigo Muniz and Raúl Jiménez at the club.
The possibility of a loan and a permanent deal could intensify the pursuit of Stansfield by a number of Championship clubs, including the Wearsiders.
