Sunderland were reportedly keen on Burnley ace Scott Arfield.
Everton’s Gareth Barry in action with Burnley’s Scott Arfield
According to the Daily Mail, David Moyes had discussed signing Burnley’s Scott Arfield before resigning from his post as Sunderland manager last week.
Moyes oversaw a dismal season as Sunderland finished bottom of the Premier League table, and after ending up 16 points adrift of safety, the Scot handed in his resignation last week.
Sunderland must now find a new manager as they look to navigate their way out of the Championship, but details are emerging over one of Moyes’ transfer targets before he left the Stadium of Light.
Former Sunderland manager David Moyes
The Daily Mail claim that Moyes had discussed making a move for Burnley’s Scott Arfield this summer, given that the Canada international is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Turf Moor.
Arfield, 28, has been a vital player for Sean Dyche’s side ever since joining from Huddersfield Town in 2013, racking up more than 150 appearances for the Clarets – but with no new deal agreed, Burnley may have to cash in this summer.
Burnley’s Scott Arfield celebrates scoring
It remains to be seen whether Sunderland continue their pursuit of Arfield with Moyes now gone, but he is a hard-working, versatile player with bags of Championship experience, and after years of spending on foreign flops such as Jeremain Lens, Emanuele Giaccherini and Jozy Altidore, that’s what Sunderland need.
Capable of playing out wide or in the centre of midfield, Arfield determination, tenacity and ability on the ball have made him vital to Dyche, and if Sunderland have real designs of promotion back to the Premier League, then a proven Championship player like Arfield would be ideal, even if he may not be a ‘sexy’ signing.
Burnley’s Scott Arfield in action with Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny
Intriguingly, the Daily Mail claimed in March that Newcastle United were keen to land Arfield should they win promotion, and with Rafael Benitez’s men now up, the Magpies could attempt a move for Arfield.
That means that, if Sunderland do still hold an interest in signing the former Falkirk ace, then they will have to move quickly to do it, with Newcastle’s Premier League status certainly appealing given Sunderland’s relegation.
Even if Sunderland miss out on Arfield, then the approach of targeting players with Championship experience is one that they should stick to even with Moyes gone, and one that certainly served Newcastle well in their promotion campaign this season.
Would you like to see Sunderland target Arfield?
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