Sunderland are keen to sign Bristol City players Sammie Szmodics after his impressive loan spell at League One rivals Peterborough United last season, according to the Chronicle.
While the Black Cats have snapped up a host of experienced League One campaigners so far this summer, there is still one player Phil Parkinson is missing – a dynamic, forward-thinking attacker capable of hitting double figures from the heart of midfield.
Szmodics, however, looks every inch the man to fill a void in Sunderland’s promotion-chasing side.
The 24-year-old Englishman produced eight goals and assists in just ten appearances for Peterborough between January and March.
He also found the net 28 times during his final two seasons at hometown club Colchester United before making that ill-fated move to Bristol City when his contract expired in the summer of 2019.
Szmodics has so far played just 107 minutes of Championship football for the Robins and, despite the departure of manager Lee Johnson, appears to have no future at a club who have welcomed Jamie Patterson back into the fold.
Interestingly, Szmodics was an unused substitute during Bristol City’s pre-season clash with Swindon Town over the weekend.
Sunderland will face competition from Peterborough, with Posh boss Darren Ferguson making it clear that ‘we would, of course, be interested’ if Szmodics was available either on loan or on a permanent basis (Peterborough Telegraph).
That troublesome salary cap, which restricts League One clubs to an expenditure of £2.5 million a year, further complicates matters.
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