Sunderland are keen on a move for 28-year-old Sheffield Wednesday striker Sam Winnall, according to a report from the Northern Echo.
The Black Cats go into 2020 struggling to make an impression in the third tier, despite being unbeaten in four matches. They face Lincoln City at the Stadium of Light this weekend, the same side they played in Jack Ross’ last game in charge.
Manager Phil Parkinson is under pressure to add quality to the side as they hope to mount a promotion charge and Winnall, out of favour at Hillsborough, is thought to be a target for the former Bolton boss.
The Owls signed Winnall from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee in January 2017, having seen him score 48 goals in 116 games for the Tykes, including 11 in 22 Championship appearances prior to his move. He had previously appeared for Scunthorpe after starting out as a trainee at Wolves.
He’s managed just four goals in 18 matches since his switch, with one in five during a loan spell at Derby County last season. His career has stuttered to a halt and Parkinson appears to hope he can bring him back to life in League One.
Our View
We think Sam Winnall would make a great signing in League One, but Sunderland will be a tough gig for him. It’s been a striker’s graveyard in recent times, Kazaiah Sterling, Charlie Wyke, Marc McNulty and Will Grigg amongst the big-name players to flop there. That’s not counting the likes of James Vaughan and Jerome Sinclair.
Winnall needs a stable environment with regular football and perhaps a little breathing space if he doesn’t hit the ground running. Is that Sunderland? I’m not so sure.
