Sunderland have reportedly made Bournemouth’s Max Gradel their number one striker target.
According to a report from the Chronicle, Sunderland have made Bournemouth forward Max Gradel their number one striker target this summer, but will have to pay £3 million for the 29-year-old.
The Chronicle reports that new Black Cats boss Simon Grayson is working on a tight budget this summer, and may have to bolster his squad with plenty of loans and free transfers.
Bournemouth’s Max Gradel
Though the Chronicle reports that Sunderland are talking to the Cherries about an initial loan deal for Gradel, the Premier League side would prefer to sell the Ivory Coast international permanently.
Therefore, while Grayson may be reluctant, does the Chronicle’s suggestion that Gradel is Sunderland’s number one striker target just ever so slightly hint that he would ultimately sanction using what may be a large chunk of his transfer budget on signing the Ivorian if it becomes clear that Bournemouth have no interest in letting him leave on loan?
Grayson was the manager who was in charge when Gradel enjoyed undoubtedly the best spell of his career in England to date when he was working with the forward at Elland Road.
After helping Leeds to promotion out of League One, Gradel scored 18 times in 41 Championship games in his final full season with the Whites.
And while Gradel has only replicated that kind of form once since – scoring 17 times in the 2014/15 Ligue 1 season – Grayson may perhaps be weighing up whether he can help the forward rediscover his very best form, and can justify attracting a fee of £3 million.
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