Sunderland are just one of a number of Championship teams to have been linked with Derby County striker Chris Martin recently.
The Sun’s report from the 5th January suggested that Reading and Fulham were both keen on the Scotland international also, while Sky Sports’ live transfer feed (15th January 2018; 16:00) added that Leeds are also interested in the Rams ace who has struggled for game-time this season.
With the Black Cats currently at the bottom of the second tier and facing an uphill battle trying to avoid back-to-back relegations, Chris Coleman would be forgiven for wondering what chance his club have of winning what is becoming a very congested race.
But perhaps Derby’s reported stance regarding where they would like to send Martin for the second half of the season should give Sunderland hope that they may be able to win the race.
According to Sky Sports’ live transfer feed (15th January 2018; 16:00), Derby are reluctant to allow the 29-year-old to leave for a team that they are currently battling with for promotion, which undoubtedly deals a blow to Leeds’ and Fulham’s hopes of landing Martin as they both find themselves within touching distance of the top six.
If the Rams end up loaning Martin out, sending him to the Stadium of Light may be an extremely smart move. Sunderland are 30 points behind Derby right now so have next to no chance of competing with Gary Rowett’s men this term.
However, they could potentially help Derby’s promotion push by taking points off some of their rivals during the remaining months of the season, and having Martin in their ranks will definitely improve their chances of doing just that, especially after Lewis Grabban’s loan was terminated.
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