Hibernian are reportedly tracking Ross County’s 15-goal striker Liam Boyce in a move that could help Sunderland land Jason Cummings.
With the future of talismanic top scorer Jason Cummings far from certain, it makes sense for Hibernian to sound out a potential replacement.
And in Ross County goal machine Liam Boyce (above), Hibs manager Neil Lennon may have found the perfect candidate. According to the Daily Record, the Edinburgh giants are interested in a summer move for the Northern Irishman, who has 15 goals in 29 appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Whether or not this should be taken as an indicator that Cummings will indeed be on the move this summer, it is clear that Boyce has the pedigree and the track record to spearhead the recently promoted Hibs on their return to the top flight next season.
And Sunderland could hold a strangely vested interest in this prospective summer move. After all, if Boyce does indeed earn that green jersey, their hopes of landing his potential predecessor will surely be boosted.
According to The Scottish Sun, Cummings is a primary transfer target for the Black Cats with manager David Moyes travelling to Scotland personally to watch him in action. The 21-year-old, valued at £2 million, has netted 21 goals in all competitions this season.
With The Telegraph claiming that the evergreen Jermain Defoe, scorer of 60 per cent of Sunderland’s goals this season, will be allowed to leave for free after their seemingly inevitable relegation, the addition of a prolific striker in the summer would not go amiss.
And Cummings certainly fits the bill for a cash strapped Sunderland; young, lethal and relatively affordable.
Hibernian’s links with Boyce certainly suggest that they are preparing for life without the Edinburgh-born hit man.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
