Sunderland should make ambitious bid for 33-year-old David Nugent

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Sunderland are in the market for a striker this summer and with just under two weeks until the start of the new season.

Sunderland are on the lookout for a striker who can fire them back to the Championship at the first time of asking but, with just under two weeks until the start of the League One season, and not long until the transfer window closes, time is running out.

The Black Cats have undergone a mass clearance within their squad, with several players leaving their club, including forwards Joel Asoro and Wahbi Khazri, and now Sunderland have very few striking options.

However, with prolific Championship forward David Nugent reportedly close to leaving his current club Derby County, Sunderland should attempt an ambitious bid for the 33-year-old.

Nugent has a proven track record of scoring goals in the Championship, having scored goals for a number of different clubs, including 54 in four seasons for Leicester City in the Championship and 33 in 94 appearances for Preston North End from 2005 to 2007.

The former Middlesbrough man has clocked up 536 appearances across his illustrious career, scoring 157 goals and assisting his teammates 65 times. Nugent also averages a goal every 239 minutes, having played 37,462 minutes across the Premier League, Championship, League Two and also two domestic cup competitions.

And, despite his career drawing to a close, the 33-year-old could definitely assist with Sunderland’s pursuit of promotion from the third tier, proved by Nugent’s ten goals in his 36 appearances for his current club Derby County, who he joined in 2017.

The Wearsiders only have two first-team strikers on their books, one of which is Josh Maja, who could play a vital role next term, and the other being the injured Duncan Watmore, who could still miss the early parts of next season, highlighting the need for reinforcements.

However, the signing of Nugent would certainly help proceedings ahead of Sunderland embarking on England’s third division, with the experience of the forward and his ability to find the back of the net, something Sunderland haven’t had since Jermain Defoe left the club.

Sunderland manager Jack Ross’s habit of playing younger players is certainly an attractive one for the Black Cats faithful, but within that setup will have to be one or two experienced heads, which Nugent could certainly help with.