The former Black Cats man will be available on a free transfer this summer after leaving Beijing Enterprises who he joined in 2017.
Sunderland are in the midst of their pre-season training endeavours, with new boss Jack Ross constantly on the lookout for new additions to add to his squad for his team’s League One campaign next term.
The Black Cats have already made three additions to their squad, but are yet to sign an out-and-out striker, with their new signing Chris Maguire the only real attacking option who has signed on the dotted line up to now.
And, despite new owner Stewart Donald being keen to flash the cash in order to gain promotion from League One, Sunderland could make a smart transfer with their former striker Victor Anichebe, who is now available on a free.
Anichebe featured with Sunderland in the 2016/17 season, where he made 18 appearances and scored three goals with the Black Cats.
The Nigerian was plagued with injuries in his time on Wearside and, despite being something of a fan favourite, Anichebe left Sunderland for Beijing Enterprises when the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League.
However, Anichebe played a key role in many of Sunderland’s key attacks that season, with his presence in the opposition box and his hold up play being some of his best attributes.
His goal against Bournemouth in Sunderland’s 3-1 win was a fine example of just how effective Anichebe can be with his back to goal.
And those attributes could well be the difference in Sunderland winning and losing games in a league which is not only fairly new to the Black Cats, but one that is very physically demanding.
Anichebe’s partnership with one of Sunderland’s most successful strikers in Jermain Defoe is something that has potential to be rekindled if 42-year-old Ross decided to pursue the forward, with 29-year-old Maguire looking to fire the Black Cats to promotion.
The forward is something of an unknown quantity in the lower leagues of English Football, having played mostly in the Premier League with former clubs Everton and West Brom; something that certainly makes him even more of an interesting acquisition for the Wearsider’s.
The signing of Anichebe is one that the former St Mirren boss should definitely be keen on, but considerations must be made for the player’s ability to see out a full campaign in a very demanding league.
However, on a free transfer and at 30, Anichebe is a very experienced striker with bags of footballing talent still yet to give, which makes him a very good option in this summer’s transfer market for new men Ross and Donald.
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