Sunderland miss out on striker target to Championship rivals

Originally posted on Sunderland on SI | By Luke Phelps | Last updated 8/25/23

Sunderland have missed out on striker target Jay Stansfield, who's joined Birmingham City on loan from Fulham.

Sunderland's striker search rumbles on. Like last season, Tony Mowbray is running low on strikers with Ross Stewart and new signing Eliezer Mayenda both sidelined.

Luis Hemir is fit and available, though the young summer arrival still needs time to bed in to the Championship and to his new side.

And it looked like Sunderland were keen on Stansfield who had a number of suitors in the Champisonhip.

But the Black Cats' Championship rivals Birmingham City have signed the Fulham man on loan for the 2023/24 season, adding to what's been a hugely positive summer transfer window for them.

The summer transfer window shuts at 11pm on Friday next week and Sunderland still have work to do, with a striker signing becoming a really serious priority for the club.

What now?

Sunderland have no time to waste in the transfer market.

There's other names being linked with a move to the Stadium of Light before next Friday but it looked like Stansfield was a prime and very achievable target.

Birmingham City though have done very well this summer and it's no surprise to see them land another positive signing in Stansfield.

Mowbray will surely be fearful of his side getting to Saturday next week without having signed another striker or two, with another position in central midfield looking like it needs bolstering too.

It's set to be a hectic week in the transfer window and perhaps for Sunderland more so than any other side.

They've signed two new strikers this summer but not one who can hit the ground running in the absence of Ross Stewart.

The Black Cats face Coventry City in the Championship this weekend.