Bargain Jon Nolan and Toto Nsiala fees makes Sunderland’s failure even more frustrating

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League One Sunderland reportedly wanted to sign both Jon Nolan and Toto Nsiala from Shrewsbury Town but they followed Paul Hurst to Ipswich instead

Sunderland’s hopes of landing Shrewsbury Town duo Jon Nolan and Toto Nsiala looked very slim after their manager Paul Hurst was handed the reigns at Ipswich Town.

And, as expected, both Nolan and Nsiale followed Hurst to Portman Road with Sunderland left disappointed.

The Shrews pair shone last season as the 2017/18 relegation favourites stunned everyone by reaching the play-off final, only to lose to Rotherham United. Former Everton youngster Nolan (below) scored 10 goals from midfield while Nsiala established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the division.

So they both fit the bill for a Sunderland side embarking on their first season in the top flight for 30 years, particularly with a goalscoring midfielder and a commanding defender both lacking from the Black Cats squad.

Missing out on two proven League One talents who had stood out impressively last season did not help Sunderland’s hopes of an immediate return to the Championship. And just to make matters worse, The Mail reports that Ipswich managed to sign Nolan and Nsiala for a combined fee of just £1.5 million – a real bargain in today’s market.

So Black Cats boss Jack Ross will be hoping the likes of Jack Baldwin and Dylan McGeouch can lessen their failure to sign two of the division’s best players.