Bordeaux striker Diego Rolan would have cost Sunderland over £10m last summer, but he could be available for far less now.
Sunderland need to find a way to replace Jermain Defoe
Sunderland’s desperation for a goal-scorer could hardly be any clearer. The fact that over half of their paltry 29 Premier League goals in 2016/17 were scored by Jermain Defoe speaks volumes.
And with the veteran front man leaving on a free this summer, and no one arriving to replace him at the Stadium of Light, fans will be concerned as pre-season looms on the horizon.
However, with one of their former flames available and seemingly heading to England, Sunderland could hardly have a better opportunity to finally make their mark in the summer market.
According to The Chronicle, the Black Cats were interested in Bordeaux striker Diego Rolan around this time last year. And, 12 months on, it appears that he is certain to leave Ligue 1 after he told MadeInFoot that he would consider a concrete offer.
And Fulham seem to have made the first move. GetWestLondon claims The Cottagers have made a formal bid for Rolan after seeing offers for Steve Mounie and Rui Fonte rejected.
Diego Rolan scored nine goals in 19 starts last season
Cut-price bargain?
This, therefore, should spark Sunderland into action. The Chronicle claimed that Bordeaux were demanding £10.5 million for Rolan last summer, a fee that would surely take him out of debt-ridden Sunderland’s reach.
However, with just a year remaining on his contract, it appears that his market value will have dropped in the last 12 months. The fact that Rolan started and scored fewer times than any season since 2013/14 may ring a few alarm bells but, on the upside, it could also mean that the 24-year-old is available on a cut-price deal.
And a striker proven in both Ligue 1 and the Europa League would be an excellent signing for a Sunderland side crying out for a player who knows where the goal is.
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