Sunderland should sign Crystal Palace Kieffer Moore and then follow it up with these 2 deals

FLW look at three players Sunderland should be pushing to sign this summer as their summer plans take shape ahead of 2024/25.

With a difficult season now finalised for Sunderland, their attentions can turn to the transfer market and investing into the squad for the 2024/25 campaign.

After an underwhelming season of stagnation in the second tier in finishing 16th in the league, there are bound to be a number of changes behind the scenes at the Stadium of Light, with the futures of many players up for discussion in both the short and long-term.

The club have had four permanent managers in two years and are in need of the next boss to take a young squad to the next level. A swift appointment would also allow for an easier summer, with whoever comes in able to assess the playing squad and hit the ground running, whilst dragging things out could see the Black Cats fall behind their Championship peers in preparation for next season.

For now, the club have plenty of work to do, and that includes signings. Here, we have taken a look at three incomings that Sunderland should look to make as soon as possible, as the Black Cats aim to be in the promotion hunt again in 2024/25.

Last season, the Black Cats signed Nazariy Rusyn, Eliezer Mayenda, Mason Burstow, and Luis Semedo, and they recorded a combined total of three goals. One obvious area that the club must address is their goal output in attack, and one way to improve would be signing a centre-forward that can guarantee goals at this level.

Sunderland have previously been linked with Welsh international striker Kieffer Moore, with the Black Cats said to be interested in a move for him back in January. Moore is clearly an excellent player at this level and it’s no surprise that seemingly half the Championship were trying to sign him when it became apparent that AFC Bournemouth were happy to let him leave on loan.

If Sunderland were to sign Moore, they’d be signing a player who has scored 54 goals in the second tier in 173 appearances and one that is guaranteed to score goals. Regardless of who the manager is, the Wearsiders need to put their obsession with signing young players behind them and add some experience to their squad in some areas, particularly down their spine.

Moore would add a much-needed focal point to spearhead their attack and would improve the side significantly. The Welshman could be the difference between a mid-table finish and finishing in the top six, such is the impact he’s made previously in the division. Sunderland, perhaps more so than any other side in the division, need to sign a proven Championship goalscorer, and with Moore’s future at Bournemouth uncertain, they’d likely be able to sign him for a cut-price fee in the coming months.

Despite plenty of continuity down Sunderland’s spine being crucial, wide players are certain to be priority signings on the club’s agenda this summer, though any move for the Crystal Palace man may be contingent on Jack Clarke or Patrick Roberts departing for a new club first but both are bound to have interest once again this summer.

The 21-year-old scored 15 goals and claimed a further nine assists in all competitions for Charlton Athletic in 2022/23, but could be a great left-footed loan option if Palace are willing to part ways with him temporarily. Sunderland may have a left-footed right-winger in Roberts, but Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s searing pace could add an extra dynamic should they look to add to their attacking line.

Experience is vital for Sunderland in plenty of areas of the team, but flair players with plenty of youthful exuberance out wide are not a bad thing to have. Rak-Sakyi is a player who attracted plenty of interest from Championship clubs in the summer after an incredible season on loan with Charlton Athletic last year. It seemed to be a two-horse race, as both Leicester City and Ipswich Town were named as possible destinations for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. However, he remained at Palace.

He can dazzle with his two-footed ability, speed, and directness but spent most of the year on the treatment table with a hamstring issue, but would benefit hugely from a Championship move, should Palace send him out temporarily again, or choose to cash-in. Even when not injured, the winger seldom featured, and was a largely peripheral figure from the bench, now in need of kickstarting his career in the second tier.