The glaring problem here is that the rivals to sign 'unknown' young foreign players, for £2m, will be fewer and less determined ...
... so those players are easier to sign, although more time consuming to scout and evaluate.
It's different for established players in the £5/6m bracket. There'll be serious determined competition for a striker, as an example, who can come in and, with less risk, make an immediate difference. So, the wage you're offering has to be more and the player holds the best cards. You'll also be competing against lower level PL clubs who can offer a higher level of football, albeit possibly temporarily. For international players, before major competitions that can be a big factor. And we have to remember that experienced players are more likely to have settled partners, and young families, who may not want to relocate to the far NE coast.
I wouldn't move to South Wales for twice what I'm earning.
I'd imagine we'll target high/er priced young players from PL clubs, or from Europe ... I'll say Adil as an easy example. The problem is that we'll have to catch them before they're obviously 'too good for us' but good enough not to be a 'Burstow'. How can a 6'2" athlete, at a top PL club who's been in the England set up, be so ineffective?
And this is the defence for Speakman/recruitment, in my opinion, that for every Clarke and Ballard there'll be those who really should be good enough but aren't, sometimes inexplicably ...
... we have to judge the recruitment as a whole imo, not by dismissing the likes of Hemir who may yet become another player who fills the scout benches at the SOL.
We have a very good squad, damn those injuries, and don't need much to be nailed on for the top six next season ...
... ffs Sunderland, make it happen.