Sunderland have received a boost in the reported pursuit of Plymouth striker Freddie Ladapo, as Portsmouth have pulled out of the race for his signature.
Both clubs had been reportedly close to agreeing on a fee for the 26-year-old, who bagged 18 League One goals last season as the Pilgrims were relegated.
He fell out with manager Derek Adams ahead of the Scot’s firing as contradictory reports surfaced after he missed a game through injury. Despite Adams leaving the club, it does seem likely Ladapo will also seek his fortune elsewhere.
Pompey are not one of the sides likely to offer him a new home as they have now turned their sights elsewhere, leaving Sunderland free to pursue Ladapo.
Ladapo began his career at Colchester, with permanent spells at Kidderminster and Margate before a surprise switch to Crystal Palace. In amongst those permanent spells he had nine different loans spells at clubs as diverse as Thurrock, Shrewsbury, Bishop’s Stortford and Oldham.
He eventually earned a permanent move to Home Park via Southend United. He struggled to impress with the Shrimpers, but thrived last season for the Pilgrims.
He once even made a Premier League appearance for Crystal Palace, coming on as a 74th-minute sub for Bakary Sako as they lost 4-0 to Manchester United in 2017.
Our View
Ladapo had one decent season for Plymouth, but is it a success if you bag 18 times and your side are relegated?
He’s struggled to impress elsewhere and has had a number of short spells at clubs.
He needs to settle somewhere and prove himself, but that fall out with Derek Adams doesn’t paint him in a good light. Perhaps Pompey think there’s too much risk there.
Sunderland will have other targets and we’d be very surprised if this one came to fruition.
18 goals for a relegated side in the same league as us sounds fantastic. Get him!