Sunderland bid up to £8m for Leicester City outcast Leonardo Ulloa in January – but he’d be an even better addition now their relegation has been confirmed.
With Sunderland’s all-too-inevitable relegation confirmed on the back of nine games in ten without a goal, their failure to sign Leonardo Ulloa in January appears even more disappointing.
According to The Telegraph, the 30-year-old threatened to go on strike after being denied the chance to leave Leicester City despite former manager Claudio Ranieri freezing him out of his plans. Even a third and final offer of £8 million from cash-strapped Sunderland could not convince The Foxes to let Ulloa go in search of regular starts.
However, despite Ranieri’s departure leading new boss and former assistant Craig Shakespeare to go back-to-basics, Ulloa has still started just three times in the Premier League.
The Argentine targetman may have almost inspired a Champions League comeback against Atletico Madrid but it appears that his days at the King Power are numbered – especially with Islam Slimani aiming for a stronger second season.
Therefore, it would be no surprise if Leicester are more receptive to offers for Ulloa in the summer. And Sunderland should not give up hope just yet.
Their goalscoring problems are well-established and, with top scorer Jermain Defoe set to leave on a free thanks to an exit clause in his contract, manager David Moyes is facing up to the prospect of replacing the irreplaceable.
Though while Ulloa is far from prolific, he could be the ideal signing as Sunderland embark on a first season in the Championship for ten years. The 30-year-old has plenty of second-tier pedigree after all, netting 23 times in 50 second tier appearances for Brighton and Hove Albion prior to his 2014 move to Leicester.
Furthermore, Ulloa should fit into Moyes’ direct tactics, offering a much-needed outlet in attack. However, if Leicester refuse to budge on their hefty valuation, Sunderland may find themselves priced out.
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