Sunderland are hoping to sign free agent Scott Fraser after his superb season at League One rivals Burton Albion, according to the Sunderland Echo.
As cash-strapped Coventry City showed last season, you do not need bags of cash to win the third-tier title.
And, while Sunderland and the rest of League One have been hit hard by the loss of gate receipts in an era of dramatic budget cuts, the Wearside giants have still managed to make a couple of inspired signings this summer – without spending a penny in transfer fees.
Bailey Wright has returned to the Stadium of Light after an all-too brief loan spell in 2019/20, while ex-Millwall forward Aiden O’Brien arrives with a fine track record in the lower divisions.
Signing Fraser, however, really would be the icing on the cake.
The Dundee-born forward was one of the most dangerous forwards in the division at Burton, producing nine goals, 14 assists and striking fear into the heart of defenders from Sunderland to Southend with his superb dribbling ability.
“I think he is unlucky because there are so many good midfielders in Scotland,” former Burton boss Nigel Clough told the Derby Telegraph after Fraser scored a ‘wonderful’ hat-trick against Oxford United.
“When anybody scores a hat-trick from midfield, I think people stand up and take notice. I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility that he can make the (Scottish) international squad.
“If he keeps catching the eye and scoring goals, then hopefully it’ll be noticed.”
A spell at Sunderland certainly didn’t harm the international prospects of goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin and, if Fraser can replicate his impressive 2019/20 form at the Stadium of Light, Scotland boss Steve Clarke will be watching very closely.
The Echo does add, however, that Fraser has other options than League One, with a number of Championship clubs also interested.
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