SUNDERLAND have turned their attention to the loan market as they look to land a new striker – but Tony Mowbray does not expect to have anyone in place for tomorrow’s home game with Rotherham United.
The Black Cats’ search for a new centre-forward has dragged on all summer despite Mowbray’s repeated urgings for action.
Sunderland have held discussions over Zorya Luhansk forward Nazariy Rusyn, and are understood to have tabled at least one bid, but have been unable to agree a deal with the striker’s Ukrainian employers. As a result, they have switched their focus away from permanent deals to the loan market they utilised so effectively last season, signing the likes of Ellis Simms and Amad Diallo.
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The Black Cats’ recruitment team have made progress on that front, and while Mowbray does not expect to be naming a new forward in his team to face Rotherham, there is a chance a prospective new signing could at least be in attendance for the game at the Stadium of Light.
“We’re not hiding anyone down the corridor ready to bring them out for a scarf picture, but we’re having conversations,” said Mowbray, whose side are still searching for their first win of the season. “I’m pretty hopeful, pretty confident. Whether that’s (in time to play on) Saturday, I’m not so sure.
“It looks as if the deals we could do might be loan deals, and the conundrum is always, ‘If you get to the last day or two there are some amazing loan deals to be done from the Premier League, but if you’ve spent your money, you can’t do those deals’. But it’s a dangerous scenario for teams. These are the discussions we’ve been having.”
Mowbray’s opinion is clearly that Sunderland would be better doing their business now rather than waiting until the final couple of days of the window, even if that means potentially missing out on players that unexpectedly become available just before deadline day.
The Black Cats are currently operating with just one natural centre-forward – 19-year-old Luis Hemir, who only real experience prior to moving to Wearside had come with Benfica B – with Mowbray opting to start Bradley Dack in the ‘number nine’ role during last weekend’s defeat at Preston.
“My view has been, let’s do it,” said the Sunderland boss. “We’ve got a name, let’s get them in. Of course, the counter-argument is, ‘What if it’s not the right one?’
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