Report: Sunderland battling Championship duo for Club Brugge striker Pierre Fonkeu

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Norwich City and Wolves are keen to challenge Sunderland for the signature of Pierre Fonkeu this summer.

Being the owner of a truly superb name is not enough to earn you a chance in English football. Therefore, there must be another reason why Pierre Xavier Fonkeu has caught Sunderland’s eye.

According to Belgian publication Voetbal Nieuws, The Black Cats are among the clubs interested in the 19-year-old Club Brugge striker. Championship rivals Norwich City and Wolves, as well as Premier League outfit Stoke City, are also understood to be tracking the teenager.

Sunderland fans need a new striker to cheer on

Fonkeu, who has played for Cameroon’s Under-21s and is also eligible to represent Belgium at senior international level, is yet to force his way into Club Brugge’s first-team plans and spent last season with the reserve side.

And with the Belgian outfit, who finished two points behind Anderlecht at the top of the table in 2016/17, signing former Villarreal striker Jeremy Perbet from rivals Gent, it is understood that Fonkeu will be allowed to leave.

Fonk-Who?

Sunderland are yet to make a single signing in the summer transfer window after spending a month without a manager following the resignation of David Moyes in late May.

Simon Grayson, who led Preston to 11^th last season, is now under pressure to bring in a raft of additions as Sunderland’s threadbare squad prepares for a difficult pre-season.

New Sunderland manager Simon Grayson

The Black Cats are also in need of attacking reinforcements with the departures of Jermain Defoe, Fabio Borini and Victor Anichebe leaving the Wearsiders, who netted just 29 goals in the Premier League last season, without a single senior striker.

However, with Fonkeu failing to make even a single appearance for Brugge last season, it appears unlikely that he could fill the void.

Nonetheless, they could have competiton from a Wolves side crying out for a new forward. Nouha Dicko and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson netted just six between them last season and, if Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are to aim higher than mid-table, attacking reinforcements are a must.