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The latest name doing the rounds in Sunderland’s search for a striker is Swansea’s Scotland U21 international Ollie McBurnie.
McBurnie - a 21-year old centre forward - has played a bit-part role so far this season at the Liberty Stadium, and it’s understood that new manager Carlos Carvalhal would like the youngster to go out and gain some vital first-team experience elsewhere between now and the end of the season.
The Scotsman has ten caps for the Scotland U21 side and has scored just twice so far in his short career with the Swans, both of which came in a league cup game with Peterborough in 2016.
David Coverdale of the Sun - who was very well connected around the time that Dick Advocaat was Sunderland manager - has reported that the young forward is the target of several clubs, including Sunderland, though a deal hinges on whether or not Swansea can finalise a big-money move for Andre Ayew from West Ham United.
#safc trying to sign Swansea striker Oliver McBurnie on loan today. Other clubs also in for him and #swans will probably only let him out if Andre Ayew joins them.
— David Coverdale (@dpcoverdale) January 31, 2018
Other linked names are Sheffield Wednesday forwards Atdhe Nuhiu and Jordan Rhodes - both of whom are out of favour at Hillsbrough and will be looking to move on before the window closes at 11pm tonight.
Chris Coleman remained clear last night on what he wants before the day is out - he needs to strengthen our forward line; though he alluded that it was experience he wanted to add rather than youth, meaning that the enquiry to bring onboard former Bradford man McBurnie may not be a particularly serious one.
Our interest in Derby County striker Chris Martin ended a couple of days ago, and he’s expected to join fellow strugglers Reading on loan. Sunderland thought that they had Martin signed, but having stalled on the move for days Chris Coleman opted to pull out and focus our attention on securing other targets.