With reports that Steven Fletcher will be making the short trip across the midlands from Wolves to Aston Villa this summer it will certainly leave Sunderland manager MoN with a lot to think about after today's departure of Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan who has completed his move to Al Ain. With only three strikers at his disposal in Ji Dong-won, Connor Wickham and Fraizer Campbell the Sunderland manager will surely be after 2 maybe 3 new faces to play upfront with reports also linking 8m man Wickham with a move away from the Stadium of Light on loan. Who could the Northern Irishman turn his attention to? 1. Gabriel Agbonlahor (Villa) - A key man in MoN's Villa side from a couple of years back, the Birmingham born striker missed just one game in two season's notching 28goals during those two season's. Since then the goals have dried up with just 11 coming from the last two season's. Maybe it is time that a change is needed for the striker and to link up with a man who certainly got the best out of him could be appealing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caHO5ldY_YE 2. Dame N'Doye (Copenhagen) - The 27year has the lot, pace, skill, strength and an eye for a goal. After completing the 2011/12 season were he has notched an impressive 24 in 44 it takes his Copenhagen tally to 81 in 110games in all competitions. If MoN is prepared to take a risk on a centre forward then this lad could be the ideal option - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtyxjZBESxs 3. John Guidetti (Manchester City) - The young Swedish forward has just returned to the Etihad after a very impressive season out on loan at Dutch side Feyenoord were he notched 20 in 23games. Reports in the media suggest that Sunderland are interested after MoN visited Holland to run the rule over the 20year old but the Black Cats face competition from rivals Newcastle United as well as a host of other top European sides - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfM8fjtxMvs 4. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) - After signing for Chelsea last summer for 18m the 19year olds chances have been limited with just 8appearances made for the Stamford Bridge based club. The young Belgium international has all the tools in his locker he just needs games and he is prepared to go out on loan. Reports are linking Sunderland manager MoN with an interest but he faces fierce competition from Everton, Stoke and a host of other premier league clubs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUQkplAKBdc 5. Mohammed Abdellaoue (Hanover 96) - The Norwegen International has certainly burst onto the scene over the last couple of season's with his impressive goals return. Notching 26goals in his two season's at the Bungesliega outfit in all competition's maybe it is time for the goal poacher to move onto bigger and better things. Already linked with Sunderland once this season and with the Wearside club seriously lacking goals this one could have legs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH3ixIXkygg 6. Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (Sporting) - The latest name to be linked with a move to the Stadium of Light but he will not come cheaply. The 23year old is certainly showing he can adapt outside of his homeland after notching an impressive 14 in his first season in Portugal on the back of 23 in 44 for his old club FC Utrecht. A target man striker the lad could fit the bill if MoN continues his 4/4/1/1 formation with Stephane Sessegnon playing off a big man - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25_yEZ9AsgM 7. Burak Yilmaz (Trabzonspor) - If Sunderland want this lad they will have to act fast with intestest from Lazio and West Ham in the Turkish International. After a slow start in front of goal in his career the 26year old has came on leaps and bounds over the last 2-3season's after notching a very impressive 57 in 91 apps for the Trabzon based club - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfaxfsZ1Dds 8. Seydou Doumbia (CSKA) - Probably the most unrealistic name on the list but if Sunderland could tempt him over to the English Premier League then they would have some player on there hands. After notching an impressive 37 in 55 for the Moscow based club the Ivorian is certainly going onto bigger and better things. With electric pace and an eye for a goal the 24year old is certainly going places - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcXYdjWP36I 9. Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea) - The Young Englishman could be well on his way out of Stamford Bridge after getting sick of a lack of first team football. The player himself has said he needs games to improve his career and to get him back into the England squad. As everyone seen at Bolton the lad has everything in his locker and at a club like Sunderland he could thrive. If MoN does make a move he will certainly face competition from other teams in the Barclays Premier League - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIS-TGHvvAA&feature=related 10. Louis Saha (free agent) - The former French international certainly knows his way around the premier league after plying his trade for Newcastle, Fulham, Manchester United, Everton and most recently Tottenham. The 33year old is coming to the end of his career but with a year or two still left in him and on a free he could be a shrewd piece of business for Sunderland - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL91IWsBoJE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thinking about it I would love us to go all out and bring in Sturridge.
Doumbia and van Wolfswinkel....Imagine... We blatantly need another African, Tullow should pay his (probably outrageous!) wages! Sorted.
Plenty of talent in that list. Wouldn't touch Saha and his knackered limbs with someone elses and I don't think you'll have much hope with Agbonlahor unless he really doesn't like Lambert. He loves Villa to the core. Doumbia in particular would be one hell of a signing.
I must admit I'd be a bit scared of you if you managed to sign Agbonlahor, get him to his best and have Sess supporting. ----------Agonlahor---------- Mclean-----Sess---------Larsson -----Gardner-----Catts-------- You'd have to play on the ground a lot, but that looks very threatening in attack.
Poolie, you after a job on Sky sport website? Very well put together fella. Couldn't be bothered to read it though...
Doumbia would be immense, he's so quick that he'd single handedly remove the 'slow overall' tag from us. It'd be ambitious, and highly unlikely, but I think with the links to Africa the club are forging, it's realistic to think we may go for a player from one of the higher profile nations. Bennin, land of Sess, just doesn't cut it! We had bother with Gyan, but hat doesn't hide the fact that African players have excelled many times in the PL, Drogba & Yaya being the biggest exapmples, players like Essien & Mensah without injuries, even the likes of Kalou in patches, they are good players, very good players.
I agree, African players usually do well in this league and with the invest in africa deal I wouldn't be surprised if we sign a couple of African's over the next 12months. As you say Doumbia is outstanding but if not I think N'Doye would be a decent 2nd/3rd choice
personally think we need 3 and I see there isn't many in favour of Saha Just my opinion but if he came as 3rd choice on a free on a season's contract at decent wages I think it would be a good move by the club, if he could get 6 or 7 goals then he would of been a fantastic piece of business by MoN
Agreed. I would not touch Agbonlhor with a barge pole. Sturidge would be my main target. The lads is class, English and needs a move to progress. MON would work wonders with him. We would make a profit on him even if he cost in excess of 12m
I would be happy with that but can't see it happening. Either way we need to show ambition and try and get these sort of top players.
Wolfswinkel, Doumbia or some one like Wagner Love would be amazing signings. But cant see us having any more exciting transfer windows. We will end up settling for some 1 uninspiring like Saha or Heskey.
