Sunderland have been urged to sign a ‘fantastic’ young striker who has just enjoyed a ‘brilliant’ loan spell.
Sunderland are desperately on the hunt for some new strikers this summer after their four arrivals this time last year failed to impress.
The Black Cats added Eliezer Mayenda, Luis Hemir, Nazariy Rusyn and Mason Burstow to their ranks, scoring three goals in the Championship between them.
The latter has now returned to parent club Chelsea and Sunderland have also been encouraged to send Hemir out on loan too.
The club now needs to bring in a proven goalscorer and bolster the squad depth in that No.9 position.
While Sunderland will be searching for a striker proven in the Championship, they have also been urged to sign another young gem that has proven himself further down the English football pyramid.
We Are Sunderland journalist Matty Hewitt has claimed that Derby County’s Dajaune Brown would be a ‘brilliant signing’ for the club.
The 18-year-old joined Gateshead on loan in January and has already bagged nine goals and eight assists, as well as putting on a standout performance in the FA Trophy final at the weekend.
Gateshead found themselves 2-1 down inside extra-time against Solihull Moors, before Brown pegged one back to level it after 110 minutes.
The match then went to penalties and Brown clearly felt no pressure, netting the winning penalty to claim silverware for the North East outfit.
Dajaune Brown would be a ‘brilliant signing’
Following the game, Hewitt wrote: “I may have my Gateshead tinted glasses on, but Dajaune Brown would be a brilliant signing for #SAFC. He was fantastic yesterday on the big stage. Pace, power and scores goals.”
He then followed it up with: “If they were able to sign an experienced striker alongside Brown, that’s a good start to the window. Some will say it’s only National League level, granted, but he’s only heading in one direction.
“He’s one for the future, but from what I’ve seen last season at first-team level, there’s no reason at all why he couldn’t play in the here and now.”
Sunderland have already been linked with a move for Brown, and they are unlikely to be the only ones given his superb form in the National League.
The attacker also netted six goals in nine games in Premier League 2 last term, before getting his first taste of senior football.
Should Sunderland sign another ‘one for the future’?
While fans may be sick of signing players ‘for the future’, Brown is surely one that should excite.
The teenager has been at Derby County since he was young and has not only made the step up to senior football with Gateshead, but he has also been one of their best performers.
If the Black Cats can sign a first choice striker, then having Brown as back-up would surely be an improvement on those that they signed last summer.
The Rams will be desperate to keep hold of him though, and their promotion to the Championship surely means they won’t be under pressure to sell.
They are likely looking to bolster their attack too, given the terrible injury record of most of their strikers last season.
If Derby could offer him more first team football, then he could be tempted to remain at Pride Park.