Sam Allardyce will be concentrating on keeping his Crystal Palace side in the Premier League but his thoughts will not be far from potential recruits for next season.
If Crystal Palace manage to avoid relegation then Allardyce may consider making a move for players at Sunderland. After guiding the Black Cats to unlikely safety last season, the former England manager will be monitoring his old club’s current situation.
Relegation looks likely for Sunderland and a drop down to the Championship will spark a mass player exodus at the Stadium of Light. The 62-year-old has already signed Patrick Van Aanholt from the league’s bottom club. We take a look at three other players who may be on Allardyce’s radar.
Lamine Koné
Koné was one of the key figures in Sunderland’s successful bid to beat the drop last year. The defender was signed in the January transfer window by Allardyce and his inspired performances in the centre of defence hauled the Black Cats to safety.
This season has been less of a success story and the summer of uncertainty, where he was persistently linked with a move away from the club, seems to have had a direct impact on his form.
If Sunderland are relegated then Koné will be one of the first to leave the Stadium of Light. Allardyce would be keen on a reunion with the Ivorian as Palace are keen to bolster their defensive options as the chances of signing on-loan Liverpool Mamadou Sakho on a permanent deal would appear slim.
Lamine Kone has struggled to make his mark for David Moyes’ Sunderland side
Wahbi Khazri
The Tunisian attacking midfielder was another one of Allardyce’s signings during his time at the Stadium of Light. His performances on both the wing and behind the striker earned him a number of admirers on Wearside.
The former Bordeaux man has failed to hold down a starting spot under the David Moyes regime, who has overlooked Khazri for younger, less experienced members of the squad.
Despite this, Khazri showed last season that he can make the grade in the Premier League. A move to Selhurst Park is attractive for both parties; the 26-year-old will get to work with a manager who has previously got the best out of him and Allardyce can secure his signature for a cut-price deal.
Jermain Defoe
Defoe may be 34-years-old but he has proven this season that age is irrelevant if you still have an eye for goal. He is Sunderland’s top goalscorer with 14 goals to his name and it is safe to say without him, the Black Cats would be preparing for Championship football next season already.
His exploits have earned him a call up back to the England set up and despite his club’s struggles, he is arguably playing the best football of his career.
Defoe does not have long left in the professional game and will not be keen on a season in the Championship. This would be a disservice to the former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham man. It is highly likely that Defoe will be playing Premier League football next season and a move back to London with Palace would be a possible outcome.
Jermain Defoe has scored 14 of Sunderland’s 24 league goals
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