Sunderland target La Liga hotshot for January swoop

After needing Jermain Defoe’s 15 goals to keep them in the Premier League last season, Sunderland knew they probably couldn’t afford to rely on the Englishman a second time. No summer signings were made but finally support could be on it’s way.

The Black Cats have been linked with a move for Deportivo striker Florin Andone, who is impressing in La Liga this term.

Andone has five strikes to his name which is a tidy return for a side struggling at the bottom end of the table.

The Romanian only joined Depor in the summer as a replacement for the Arsenal-bound Lucas Perez, but it’s believed a sale could be agreed with the Wearsiders.

Defoe is once again Sunderland’s top scorer, with the 34-year-old finding the net on eight occasions this term – over half the club’s Premier League tally.

But it’s a tall order to ask the 34-year-old to bare the burden for another full campaign, and any additional firepower will be welcomed at the Stadium of Light.

Boss David Moyes called upon his old Everton friend Victor Anichebe earlier this season, and though the Nigerian has chipped in with three crucial goals in recent weeks, has never been regarded as an out-and-out goalscorer.

Valued at just over £2m on transfermarkt.co.uk, 23-year-old Andone wouldn’t cost Sunderland much at all, and Depor may be happy to make a quick profit on their £3m summer signing.

Only four sides have scored fewer goals than the Black Cats, but it appears Moyes is planning an attempt to solve those woes next month.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing