Charlie Wyke should snub Sunderland according to ex-Black Cats player

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Sunderland have reportedly made a second bid to sign striker Charlie Wyke from League One competitors Bradford City in the transfer window.

Jamie Lawrence represented both Sunderland and Bradford in a nomadic playing career, but that does not mean he is sat firmly on the fence as Charlie Wyke finds himself in a tug-of-war between the two League One clubs.

Sunderland’s pursuit of a centre-forward has reportedly taken them to the Bantams’ Middlesbrough-born target man, who is understood to be interested in a return to the North East this summer.

According to the Northern Echo, the Black Cats have made a second bid worth around £1 million for the former Hartlepool United loanee Wyke, having seen an offer of £600,000 rejected last week.

But speaking to the Telegraph and Argus, Lawrence has made it clear where he thinks Wyke would be better off.

“If I was in Charlie’s shoes, I’d be giving it a go all day long,” said 48-year-old, who made 155 league appearances for Bradford betwen 1997 and 2002, who believes the signing of Sean Scannell from Huddersfield should convince Wyke to stay.

“I know Sunderland are my old club as well and a big one but they are in transition. I’d forget all that and stick it out at Bradford. (Bradford) had no wide men last season. There was no one who could give him decent crosses. Charlie was having to do too much work outside the box instead of in it.

“Centre forwards thrive on crosses. Sean’s a person who can get bums off seats. There’s an expectation every time he gets the ball that he’s going to do something special.

“It might sway Charlie in what he’s thinking. If they make a few other signings along the same line, why wouldn’t you want to stay at Bradford?”

Wyke scored 16 League One goals for Bradford last season and looks like the reliable, proven target man Sunderland are crying out for. But, after missing out on Florian Kamberi, Lyle Taylor and Gavin Reilly, not to mention Mo Eisa, could history repeat itself once more?