Why Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack would be a far better option for Sunderland currently than Preston striker Jordan Hugill.
Sunderland are still on the hunt for at least one new striker, with the Northern Echo reporting Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack and Jordan Hugill of Preston North End remain the most likely options.
By selling Jeremain Lens to Besiktas for a fee believed to be around £5m, the Black Cats have freed up enough funds to allow manager Simon Grayson to add another forward to his squad.
Jordan Hugill of Preston North End in action against Nottingham Forest.
The club have already had a couple of offers for Hugill – who Grayson managed at Preston – rejected and it’s thought around £4m would be enough to land the 25-year-old.
Yet despite an impressive season in 2016/17, the Lilywhites’ star’s lack of consistency at Championship level should convince the North East club to concentrate their attention on McCormack.
Hugill scored 12 times in 44 Championship matches last term, but managed just three in 29 the campaign before and only has 15 strikes in 74 appearances in the second tier of English football.
The Englishman has never been prolific, with 34 career goals in total across all levels and while Grayson has an emotional attachment, if his team are to bounce back from relegation from the Premier League they need an immediate solution – even if that is short-term.
McCormack represents that, finding the net 120 times in 333 games in the Championship with the likes of Cardiff City, Fulham and Leeds United.
Ross McCormack of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his side’s first goal against Huddersfield Town.
The 30-year-old may have struggled for form with the Villans last season, but at the level Sunderland now find themselves there are few more experienced or consistent than the Scotland international.
A loan deal for McCormack to support Lewis Grabban and James Vaughan in attack is a far better option than Hugill right now.
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