clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

TRANSFER UPDATE: Man dubbed ‘The Turkish Messi’ linked with a free transfer move to Sunderland

Sunderland have been linked with a move for Walsall attacker Erhun Oztumer.

Walsall v West Bromwich Albion - Pre-Season Friendly Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Jack Ross may only have been officially confirmed as Sunderland manager last week but with pre-season training a little over three weeks away, he will have to get to work shaping the squad for a promotion tilt next season and, according to Sky Sports, he is showing an interest in soon-to-be out of contract Walsall playmaker Erhun Oztumer.

The diminutive Oztumer has been a standout performer for the Saddlers in recent years, to such an extent that he was named in the PFA League One team of the season for two consecutive campaigns.

Standing at just 5’3”, he is currently the smallest player in the Football League but he racked up 17 goals and seven assists last season and 15 goals and seven assists the season before.

So, as he’s a proven attacking asset at the level we find ourselves in, is on a free transfer and is still only 27, you can see why he’d be such an attractive proposition for Ross.

If Sunderland are to sign the player however, they will need to be quick as reports in Bolton suggest that the Wanderers are confident that he will sign for them in the near future.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Roker Report Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of Sunderland news from Roker Report