Sunderland target Guy Melamed is now a free agent after the striker’s contract expired at St Johnstone, his agents have explained on their official Twitter account.
The Israel international may have big boots to fill at the Stadium of Light.
After becoming the first player since the legendary Kevin Phillips more than 20 years ago to break the 30-goal barrier in Sunderland colours, there is a real chance Charlie Wyke will walk away from Wearside this summer.
And with Sunderland falling to Lincoln City in the League One play-off semi-finals, the Black Cats are facing up to the prospect of having to replace their most prolific goalscorer since the turn of the century.
No pressure, then.
Could Melamed replace Wyke at Sunderland?
28-year-old Melamed told the Daily Record this week Sunderland had expressed an interest, admitting he was “flattered” to have admirers south of the border.
Like Wyke, the former Hapoel Be’er Sheva man is available for free. His short-term contract expired in the aftermath of St Johnstone’s Scottish League Cup final victory over Hibernian.
Despite impressing at McDiarmid Park, Melamed scored just seven times in 23 matches for the Buddies.
He’ll need to do a lot better than that if he’s tasked with filling a Wyke-shaped void in Sunderland’s front line.
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