The reported Sunderland target looks to be heading to Nottingham Forest.
Hibernian striker Jason Cummings [right]
Nottingham Forest are closing in on a move for Hibernian striker Jason Cummings [Scottish Sun], despite reports of interest from other clubs including Sunderland.
With Jermain Defoe bound for Bournemouth, it would be some surprise if Sunderland fail to add to their forward line this summer.
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe
So, could Cummings’ proposed transfer prompt the Mackems to renew their alleged interest in Forest’s Britt Assombalonga?
HITC investigates…
What’s changed since Sunderland were last linked with Assombalonga?
David Moyes, who is said to have scouted Assombalonga in August 2016 [Daily Star], is no longer Sunderland’s manager, while Mark Warburton is Forest’s third since then. Assombalonga, meanwhile, appears to have rediscovered his pre-injury form, scoring 14 goals from 20 Championship starts this past season.
Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga [left]
So why would Forest sell him?
Assombalonga was unavailable for nearly a third of Forest’s league matches in 2016-17 – a campaign in which Zach Clough’s arrival and Ben Brereton’s emergence strengthened the Reds’ attacking options – which could be a factor in any decision to offload the Congolese striker, while doing so would likely cover the fees paid for both Clough and Cummings with change to spare, allowing Warburton to strengthen elsewhere.
Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton
A gamble for Sunderland?
Not really. Assombalonga only failed to feature in one of Forest’s post-Christmas Championship fixtures, suggesting his fitness issues are firmly behind him. And while he would likely cost something at the higher-end of seven figures, his current wage is significantly lower than Defoe’s.
Could Sunderland move for Britt Assombalonga this summer – and should Nottingham Forest sell him?
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