According to Sky Sports writer Keith Downie, Sunderland are interested in signing Fulham striker Jay Stansfield in January.
Sunderland are presently sixth in the Championship table, one goal ahead of Hull City in seventh. The Black Cats have depended on winger Jack Clarke’s 11 goals to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Jobe Bellingham has four goals from his attacking midfield position, and Daniel Neil has four goals from his defensive midfield position.
Sunderland, on the other hand, have not replaced striker Ross Stewart with a like-for-like signing since his departure. Younger strikers haven’t been able to step up, thus a new talisman is required this winter.
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has revealed that Fulham’s Stansfield is being pursued. He claims that the 21-year-old is one of Sunderland’s winter transfer targets, and that his season-long loan with Championship rivals Birmingham City could be cut short.
Fulham’s Jay Stansfield is one of a number of strikers Sunderland are keeping an eye on this January.
The 21-year-old is on a season-loan at Birmingham but there’s potential to end early.
Ipswich also interested. Stansfield has scored 7 at #BCFC this season.
w/@skysports_sheth pic.twitter.com/1Giw2B5wz5— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) December 28, 2023
The importance of Ipswich Town is also addressed. The EADT first reported this earlier this month.
A solid fit for Sunderland?
Sunderland attempted to sign Stansfield during the summer transfer window, but the striker indicated he preferred Birmingham City over the Black Cats due to its proximity to his London residence.
Sunderland really needs a frontline striker; the lack of goals from that position is palpable. The question is whether Stansfield would be the solution to their dilemma in that situation.
In 21 Championship games while on loan at Birmingham City, the 21-year-old has seven goals and two assists. For the most part, he has started the game at the top for the Blues.
Birmingham City play a far more spacious and free-flowing game than the Black Cats. With Stansfield up front feeding off Bellingham and Clarke, you’d expect him to score frequently.
Even if Downie claims in a follow-up post that Stansfield ‘has not been prioritised by Sunderland’ as of yet, there’s no doubt he’d be a solid January addition if it happens.
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