Sunderland reportedly battling to sign Cheltenham striker Mohamed Eisa

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Sunderland are looking for a forward to ensure they contend for the automatic promotion spots next season in League One.

Sunderland had seemingly slowed down on the transfer front in recent days, after an influx of players signed on the dotted line for the Black Cats last week.

The Wearsiders’ main priority is a striker who can fire them back to the Championship with more than 20 goals next season; something that has been unheard of at Sunderland since fan favourite Jermain Defoe left for Premier League Bournemouth.

However, the Sunderland faithful will be excited to hear reports from the Sunderland Echo of Cheltenham striker Mohamed Eisa being a striker on the shortlist of new boss Jack Ross.

Eisa scored 23 goals in League Two for Cheltenham last season, sitting third in the league’s top scorers behind Coventry City’s Marc McNulty and Accrington Stanley’s Billy Knee.

However, the 24-year-old’s exceptional season in the fourth tier has not gone unnoticed, with Peterborough United and Portsmouth both allegedly battling with the Black Cats for the youngster’s signature.

Although, despite a number of interested parties, the Sunderland faithful will be hopeful that the former Premier League regulars are the star attraction of the trio of clubs hoping to acquire Eisa’s services for the new season.

Sunderland have a huge campaign ahead of them, with the Black Cats embarking on League One football for the first time in 30 years.

And Eisa would certainly be an excellent buy this summer, with the player standing up to the test of League Two football having played over 3000 minutes last season, scoring a goal every 163 minutes.

Plenty of business still must be done to ensure the Black Cats have a successful campaign next term, with two or three attacking options needed on Wearside.

However, with the backing of new owner Stewart Donald and 42-year-old Ross at the helm, Sunderland will be hopeful they can at least make the play-offs in what will be a physically demanding campaign.