Sunerland manager David Moyes had reportedly scouted Southampton’s Sam Gallagher personally – but his departure gives Aston Villa fresh hope.
While it would be a little dramatic to suggest that David Moyes’ departure from Sunderland came out of the blue, the expectation was that the beleaguered Scot would stick around to at least attempt to clean up some of his mess.
It certainly doesn’t help their preparation for life in the Championship. After all, it appears that Sunderland’s summer transfer plans have been thrown up in the air as the increasingly dead-eyed Moyes’ scarpers for the exit.
The Chronicle reported in February that he personally watched Blackburn Rovers loanee Sam Gallagher in action and the Black Cats appeared likely to make a move for the Southampton-owned targetman this summer.
Especially with talismanic top scorer Jermain Defoe almost certain to trigger the exit clause in his contract.
However, it appears that Gallagher, who netted 12 goals last season for relegated Blackburn, was a player Moyes had targeted specifically. Therefore, his resignation casts doubt on whether Sunderland will still be interested in paying Southampton’s £7 million asking price, as reported by The Sun.
Moyes Out
As a result, this will surely give Aston Villa hope of landing the 6ft 4ins frontman. The Daily Mail claimed that manager Steve Bruce had identified Gallagher as a primary summer target, perhaps inspired by his goalscoring performance at Villa Park in November.
And with top scorer Jonathan Kodjia ruled out for a number of months with a broken ankle, Ross McCormack’s future uncertain and Scott Hogan suffering a series of injuries since arriving in January, Villa may be pushed to pay big for Gallagher.
Even if Financial Fair Play rules mean Villa must sell before they can buy this summer, as reported by The Telegraph.
It appears that, with Moyes jumping the sinking Sunderland ship, Villa may be back in with a fighting chance of securing their target.
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