Tom Lawrence was brilliant on loan at Ipswich Town so Leicester City know they can sell at a fee far higher than Sunderland will be able to offer.
Just a reminder Sunderland; pre-season training starts next week and, as it stands, The Black Cats have no manager, no assistant, no new signings, a squad set to be ravaged by expiring contracts and an owner desperate to sell at any cost.
Therefore, it’s safe to say Sunderland are a little unprepared for their first Championship season in ten years.
And, just to add to the frustration, one of their more ambitious transfer targets now appears to be well out of their reach.
Tom Lawrence made wondergoals his trademark last season
Almost laying claim to his very own Goal of the Season contest with nine largely spectacular Championship strikes, the 23-year-old is set to be one of the most in-demand players in this summer’s transfer market with his future at parent club Leicester City up in the air.
And, unsurprisingly, the Burton Mail claims that The Foxes would demand £10 million for the Wales international. Such a fee would fall within budget for Newcastle United, who The Chronicle identify as potential suitors, with owner Mike Ashley making funds available to Rafael Benitez.
However, this all but rules out Sunderland. The cash-strapped Wearsiders are ravaged by debt and, as former manager David Moyes made clear throughout last season, lacked the finances to bring in quality players capable of saving the club from relegation.
And, after dropping out of the top flight, it appears highly unlikely that they will be spending an eight-figure sum on any player in the near future.
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