Sunderland lining up move for 27-year-old midfielder

Sunderland are eyeing a swap deal with Shrewsbury for midfielder Ollie Norburn, as reported by Football Insider.

What’s even more remarkable is they’re willing to offer £4m flop Will Grigg in exchange. Grigg, who has struggled for form ever since joining the club a year ago, is surely on his way out of the Stadium of Light and it seems Phil Parkinson is keen to ensure that happens in any way possible.

That’s led to the report suggesting he’s willing to let the former MK Dons man go to Shrewsbury, as long as he can bag 27-year-old Norburn. The former Chelsea and Leicester youth has been in solid form for Sam Ricketts’ Shrews, who have struggled for goals this season.

Norburn, who has also represented Tranmere, Guiseley, Macclesfield and Bristol Rovers, is apparently one of Parkinson’s top targets, but the two clubs have not been able to agree on a fee. That’s led to the Sunderland boos looking to find other sweeteners, with money not exactly in plentiful supply at the Stadium of Light.

Grigg has scored just three goals in 26 appearances this season and is behind Kyle Lafferty, Marc McNulty and Charlie Wyke in the pecking order on Wearside. Shrewsbury, League One’s lowest-scoring side, are looking to add to their firepower as they move into the second half of the season.

Our View

The question here is this: is Ollie Norburn worth £4m? Being generous and assuming that the Grigg fee originally had clauses, is he worth £2m? Probably not.

That’s how desperate Sunderland are to ship Grigg out and move on from one of their worst-ever transfers. Jack Rodwell clearly tops that list, but Grigg is sure to be right up there in some supporter’s eyes.

Shrewsbury might be forgiven for thinking it’s their lucky day with Grigg’s valuation of a year ago, but his stock has fallen sharply. However, if he does manage to find some form for Salop, this could be great business.