Sunderland ought to consider outbidding Rangers for the acquisition of established goal-scorer Lawrence Shankland.
The Scottish national player has already netted 17 goals in various competitions for Hearts this season, with 12 of them coming in league matches, including a crucial late winner in the recent Edinburgh derby.
Since joining Edinburgh’s side in July 2022, the 28-year-old striker has accumulated an impressive record of 45 goals. Despite being heavily linked with a transfer to the Scottish giants Rangers, it seems that Hearts’ valuation has surpassed what the Glasgow-based team is willing to pay.
Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke suggests that the Hearts captain’s price tag for a January move is set at a minimum of £3 million, making it financially prohibitive for Rangers until the summer transfer window.
Shankland’s career so far
Lawrence Shankland is a bit of a journeyman in Scottish football and has scored goals wherever he has played, particularly in the Scottish Championship.
His current spell with Hearts has seen huge success, with 28 goals in 47 games last season and another 17 so far this campaign.
The striker isn’t afraid of a new challenge, spending a season in Belgium with second division side, Beerschot in 2021/22.
Additionally, Lawrence Shankland has found the net twice in seven appearances for the Scottish national team. A move to Sunderland could offer him the chance to solidify his position within the squad, especially with the impending European Championships in Germany this summer.
Similarities with Stewart
Sunderland’s most recent signing of a forward from Scotland proved to be highly successful. Ross Stewart arrived in the northeast of England after a somewhat modest career in Scottish football, where he scored 28 goals in 82 appearances during his final stint with Ross County.
However, Stewart experienced a resurgence at Sunderland, scoring 40 goals in 81 appearances. This included an impressive run of 10 goals in 13 games in the Championship, although his season was cut short due to injury. Unfortunately, since his move to Southampton, ongoing injuries have restricted him to just 2 appearances.
While Lawrence Shankland would come to Sunderland with a more impressive track record in Scottish football compared to Stewart, the heightened success expectation could add additional pressure on him to perform.
Both forwards share the ability to provide a physical presence for holding up the ball, coupled with a sharp goal-scoring instinct.
Sunderland’s stuttering strikers
Sunderland has heavily relied on contributions from midfield and wide areas for goals this season, with Jack Clarke (12), Daniel Neil (4), and Jobe Bellingham (4) emerging as the top scorers in the Championship for the club.
To sustain their playoff aspirations, Michael Beale must address the need for offensive reinforcements, as other striking options have fallen short. Ukrainian forward Nazariy Rusyn has managed just one goal in 10 appearances, while Chelsea loanee Mason Burstow has yet to find the net and is reportedly linked with a return to his parent club.
Bringing in Lawrence Shankland appears to be a promising solution to the team’s goal-scoring challenges. Shankland’s proven goal-scoring record and evident confidence could make a significant impact. With the creative abilities of Sunderland’s players, Shankland would likely receive ample opportunities and might be enticed by the prospect of contributing to a potential Premier League promotion push in the North East.
Supporting players
Sunderland boasts some of the Championship’s top attacking and creative talents behind the striker position. Jack Clarke, a highly coveted winger in the division, might be subject to a transfer this window. Additionally, when fit, Patrick Roberts can deliver moments of brilliance.
In the midfield, the trio of Jobe Bellingham, Alex Pritchard, and Dan Neil offers a wealth of creative opportunities for a striker like Shankland to capitalize on, potentially endearing him to the fans on Wearside.
Notably, Dan Neil has reportedly attracted interest from several prominent Premier League clubs, further emphasizing the quality of talent in Sunderland’s ranks.
Alternative options
If Sunderland fails to secure Lawrence Shankland from Hearts, alternative options are being explored. The Black Cats are said to be monitoring Jay Stansfield, who has earned praise during his loan stint at Birmingham City in the first half of the season.
However, they might encounter competition from high-flying Ipswich Town, currently appearing as the frontrunners to sign Stansfield if Fulham chooses to recall him from his ongoing loan at Birmingham City.
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