If Ross McCormack leaves for Sunderland as expected then Aston Villa need to beat Birmingham and Wolves to Southampton’s Sam Gallagher.
Sunderland are still keen on signing Ross McCormack from Aston Villa this summer, reports the Sunderland Echo, although a loan deal remains the most likely option.
McCormack is expected to leave Villa Park just a year after completing a £12m switch (BBC) from Fulham, after falling out with manager Steve Bruce last season.
Ross McCormack of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his side’s first goal.
The Black Cats cannot afford to buy the 30-year-old outright and his high wages are also causing an issue, although the imminent sale of Jeremain Lens to Besiktas should free up enough funds at the Stadium of Light to complete the transfer.
However, the departure of McCormack from the Villans would leave Bruce with just two senior options upfront in Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodjia – with Gabriel Agbonlahor also able to switch from the left wing to fill the role – and therefore a replacement would be needed if the Birmingham side want to make a serious push for promotion from the Championship in 2017/18.
That is why Villa need to make sure they beat Midlands rivals Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers to Southampton youngster Sam Gallagher – with the Nottingham Post reporting all three are interested in the striker on loan.
The 21-year-old has recently signed a new four-year contract at St Mary’s and is a well regarded figure at the club, but is behind Charlie Austin, Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long in the pecking order and therefore could welcome another season out on loan in the English second tier.
Last term Gallagher impressed during a temporary spell at Blackburn Rovers, with 11 league goals in 43 games, and Bruce could bolster his ranks and trump the club’s rivals in the process by landing the forward this time around.
Sam Gallagher of Blackburn Rovers controls the ball from Jake Bidwell of Queens Park Rangers.
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