The now-defunct League One salary cap prevented Sunderland from signing former Blackpool ace Armand Gnanduillet in the summer, as reported by the Sunderland Echo.
After Aiden McGeady and Charlie Wyke combined to put in-form Doncaster Rovers to the sword on Saturday, Lee Johnson’s Black Cats climbed back into the play-off positions and within touching distance of second-place Hull City.
But Sunderland supporters could be forgiven for wondering how much closer they would be to table-topping Lincoln City if that pesky salary cap hadn’t been introduced in August.
As reported by the Echo, Sunderland were eyeing deals for Luke Garbutt and Scott Fraser before financial constraints scuppered the deals.
Garbutt eventually joined Blackpool while Fraser has produced nine goals and five assists at a resurgent MK Dons.
The Wearsiders were also keen to bring one of the hottest strikers in England’s third tier to the north east.
Gnanduillet became a free agent after scoring 18 goals in 36 games during his final season at Bloomfield Road.
But Sunderland were once again priced out of the deal, with Gnanduillet heading to Altay in Turkey instead. The Leyton Orient and Chesterfield target man returned to Britain last month when Hearts came calling.
And, after months of controversy, the dreaded League One and League Two salary caps were scrapped earlier this month after the Professional Footballers’ Association concluded they were “unlawful and unenforceable”.
Not that it does Sunderland much good now, of course.
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