Sunderland are reportedly interested in luring Connor Wickham to the SoL.
TeamTalk report that Sunderland are interested in signing Connor Wickham ahead of the January transfer window in a bid to solve their lack of options up front – and they could find help in their pursuit from an unlikely source.
Liverpool could help Sunderland sign the Crystal Palace forward, which would see the 25-year-old striker return to Wearside three years after he left Sunderland to join Palace for £9million (Telegraph).
Wickham has been struggling with injury but returned to the bench for Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leicester City, though he remained an unused substitute. This season, he has made just one substitute appearance against Everton in October.
The likelihood of Wickham leaving is large, with less than a fortnight until the January window hits. Premier League leaders Liverpool could help the Black Cats land Wickham, by allowing Dom Solanke to leave.
Indeed, Palace are looking to beat Scottish side Rangers to the signing of one-time England international Solanke in January, according to the Standard. It remains up to Liverpool – and the player – to choose between the interested parties.
Solanke remains behind the likes of Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge in the pecking order, and has failed to make a single senior appearance this season.
Liverpool will want Solanke to get plenty of game time at the highest level and that may seem them favour a move to Palace for Solanke, but Steven Gerrard’s connections with the Reds could see Solanke head north.
If Liverpool choose Palace, Wickham will fall even further down the pecking order, making him surplus to requirements and that will help Sunderland in their bid to land the forward. It remains to be seen what decision Liverpool make.
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