Could Simon Grayson be crucial in Sunderland’s move for Sheffield Wednesday’s Tom Lees?

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Sunderland are challenging for Sheffield Wednesday centre-back Tom Lees.

Over a month after David Moyes put Sunderland supporters out of their misery and walked away from the Stadium of Light, the club finally have a new man at the helm.

In Simon Grayson, the Black Cats have appointed a proven lower league manager renowned for making teams far stronger than the sum of their parts.

The 47-year-old has won promotion at each of his four previous clubs, Blackpool, Huddersfield, Leeds and Preston – a remarkable statistic that bodes well for a Sunderland side embarking on a first season in the Championship for ten years.

Simon Grayson led Preston into the top half last season

And Sunderland will be hoping that Grayson’s wide-ranging contact list will help them follow in north east rivals Newcastle United’s footsteps and return to the promised land at the first time of asking.

Though, according to the Daily Mail, they face a tough task luring Sheffield Wednesday centre-back Tom Lees to Wearside. The report claims that Middlesbrough, Derby County, Hull City and newly promoted Huddersfield Town all provide competition.

And, with four years left on his contract and a £5 million price tag on his head, debt-ridden Sunderland will have to dig deep into their pockets to fund a move.

Reunion

Therefore, their chances may rest on the hope that Lees owes a debt of gratitude to Grayson. After all, it was the former Whites boss who gave Lees his chance at Elland Road following impressive loan spells at Accrington and Bury.

Tom Lees had led Sheffield Wednesday into the play-offs for two years in succession

“He’s had a great year, he’s scored goals and he’s been part of a successful team. We’ve monitored him and had him watched a lot,” Grayson told the Yorkshire Evening Post prior to the 2011/12 season.

And that connection could give Sunderland the boost their need to beat a number of promotion-seeking rivals to one of the league’s most consistent defenders.