Sunderland are set for a transfer snub as they look to add to their frontline this week.
They’ve been widely linked with former Ayr Utd striker Lawrence Shankland, but it seems he’s about to turn his back on not only Jack Ross, but a host of suitors in the English game.
According to the Sun, he’s set to remain in the Scottish second tier by signing for Dundee United in a move HITC describes as ‘strange’. They launched an audacious bid last week to keep him in Scotland which is reported to have paid off.
The 23-year-old scored 34 goals in 41 outings for Ayr last season as they just failed to earn promotion to the SPFL, adding to 29 from 33 in their promotion season the year before. Any striker who bags 63 goals in fewer than 80 outings is going to attract serious attention.
Shankland began life at Queens Park, earning a move to Aberdeen where he struggled to impose himself on the first team. He ended up at Ayr via numerous loan spells, including time with Jack Ross at St Mirren.
He’s now looking unlikely to link up with his former manager as their search for new recruits goes on.
Our View
Is this such a big blow? He’s proven in the second tier of Scotland, but that’s a very different game to England’s League One.
It’s also not such an ‘odd’ move. In Scotland, Dundee United are a relatively big name and they’re on hard times right now. They have a decent ground, are ambitious and could well win a trophy next season.
Surely, winning silverware is what it’s all about? Perhaps Shankland believes another year amongst the goals will force someone like Celtic or Rangers to take a chance?
