Another quick ALS roundup of the transfer gossip regarding Sunderland which have emerged over the weekend, here are a few of the most interesting snippets of what is being banded about.
WILL GRIGG
Following rumours that he may make his switch to MK Dons permanently, there is also some suggestion he may return to another of his former clubs, Wigan Athletic. The Northern Irishman signed for around £2m initially, potentially rising to £4m, from the Lactics in the January of 2019 but he failed to find his form on Wearside and was shipped on loan to the Buckinghamshire club last season. Wigan managed to beat the League 1 drop despite looking nailed on at the beginning of the season but they will aim to hit the play-offs and make a much needed return to the Championship and they may look to Grigg who netted 53 league goals for the Lancashire club to achieve that. Sunderland will be looking to cash in on the striker who only has a year left on his contract so Lee Johnson may be looking to recoup some funds in order to bring in someone else.
ELLIOT EMBLETON
The Sunderland youth academy graduate has never really established himself at the Stadium of Light despite impressing for the under 23s in the heart of midfield, he even made it on the bench in the last season in the Premier League but wouldn't be debuted until December 2017 when he was brought on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw away to Wolves in the Championship. He became a key part of Grimsby Town's side whilst on loan there and has impressed the second half of this season whilst on loan at Blackpool who are keen to sign the 22 year old on a permanent deal. He has been one of the Tangerines key players since signing there in January and helped them to promotion to the Championship via the play-offs after coming from behind to defeat Lincoln 2-1 at Wembley. He only has a year left on his contract and is rumoured not to be keen on renewing so this may be the last chance we have to cash in on Embleton.
MARTYN WAGHORN
The former Sunderland youth player from South Shields has been linked with a move back to Wearside as his contract with Derby County expires this summer and could potentially be available on a free transfer. Waghorn fired home a penalty to keep Wayne Rooney's men in the Championship on the final day last season but the 31 year old isn't likely to see a new deal at Pride Park. Since leaving us, Waghorn has impressed with fine form at Wigan, Rangers and Ipswich Town as well as his current side, Derby, but the striker may be looking for a new club when his deal in the East Midlands runs down.
JOE PIGGOTT
The big front man from AFC Wimbledon has terrorised League 1 defences for a while now but he's out of contract also this summer and is likely to be able to be snapped up for no transfer fee. Piggott bagged 20 goals this season just gone in the league for the Dons but he's being hotly pursued by Championship Birmingham City and League 1 rivals Charlton Athletic, where he started out, who look to return to England's second tier. He said it was the "hardest decision ever" not to sign a new deal with Wimbledon but that does mean that there will definitely be a dog fight for his signature and only time will tell if Sunderland can win the race for the 6ft 2' 27 year old striker.
