Sunderland need to move fast for Eredivisie striker
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It looks set to be a busy few weeks for Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce, as he continues his bid to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League.
Since taking charge in October, the former West Ham boss has brought about an upturn in Sunderland’s fortunes with the Wearsiders picking up three Premier League wins.
However, the Black Cats have also slipped to a trio 1-0 defeats under the 61-year-old and it appears Allardyce is ready to address his attacking shortcomings.
Sunderland have netted just 17 times in 16 Premier League games, with Steven Fletcher and Jermain Defoe grabbing four each.
The rest of the club’s strikers – Fabio Borini, Danny Graham and Ola Toivonen are yet to register and the looming transfer window is set to hand Allardyce the chance to find alternative options.
One of those potential choices is FC Utrecht’s Sebastien Haller.
The 21-year-old has an exceptional record in his short time with the club, netting 21 Eredivisie goals in just 37 appearances and his 6ft 2” frame should help Haller deal with the rigours of English football.
The French U21 international is also wanted by Norwich among others, so Allardyce may have to move quickly if he is to secure Haller’s signature.
The spectrum of strikers important from Holland has varied wildly following moves to the Premier League – from Ruud van Nistelrooy to Afonso Alves – so question marks will loom over Haller upon his arrival.
He doesn’t have the experience to be a tried and trusted goalscorer to lead Sunderland to safety, but Allardyce is known to be a stickler for research before making a signing, and perhaps he’s on to a something.
Sunderland head to reigning champions Chelsea this weekend in their next search of victory, and they’re 10/1 to claim the win against Jose Mourinho’s troubled Blues.
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