Sunderland boss Simon Grayson could enter the free agent market.
Sunderland manager Simon Grayson
Sunderland would be foolish not to enter the free agent market, manager Simon Grayson told the Echo earlier this week.
Grayson tried and failed to sign a new striker towards the end of the summer transfer window, and that is where he is arguably most likely to recruit, having added a defender, a midfielder and a winger on deadline day.
Former Metz striker Cheick Diabate
One player who could come into his thinking is Mali international Cheick Diabate, scorer of 14 goals in 30 games last season during spells in Turkey and France.
Formerly of Bordeaux, where he was a teammate of the recently exiled Sunderland winger Wahbi Khazri, the 29-year-old almost inexplicably remains without a club after having his contract with Osmanlispor cancelled two years early.
Former Bordeaux striker Cheick Diabate
And with 94 goals in 216 club career matches – most of which were scored in France’s top flight – Diabate could be just the man, once up to speed, to fire the Mackems back into promotion contention this season.
Should Sunderland take a look at Cheick Diabate?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
