Sunderland interested in striking trio - including experienced scorer & Newcastle forward

Sunderland are hoping to make at least two additions to their striking department before the season begins in three weeks when we take on Charlton Athletic - and the first of those should be in through the door after the coming weekend.

The club are keen on adding strikers that they know are going to score goals at this level, whilst also ensuring they provide us with some variety in a position that requires us to have a bit of everything.

Roker Report understand that Sunderland are very interested in Bradford’s Charlie Wyke, Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp and Newcastle United’s Ivan Toney - but they are just three names on a list of forwards that they remain keen on.

We’re told that the club have a list of striking targets that they believe can fire us to immediate promotion out of League One, and on there these three men feature prominently.

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Bradford forward Wyke is very highly rated at League One level and just this week a bid for his services was turned down Peterborough United - although we understand that the fee being bandied around, which according to most outlets is £500k, is vastly inflated.

He hails from Middlesbrough, and came through the youth setup there before finding his feet at nearby Carlisle United.

He signed for Bradford City on winter deadline day in 2017 and his fantastic record of scoring has continued, with the 25-year old netting an impressive 23 goals in 53 appearances.

Also on Sunderland’s radar is out-of-favour Sheffield United striker - a man who really needs no introduction.

Although he’s 32-year old, Sharp is a clinical scorer of goals at this level and has proven year after year that he has the quality to score teams up this league and even in to the Championship.

Ultimately, he’s suffered from the immense form of Leon Clarke at Bramall Lane in the last twelve months or so and hasn’t featured perhaps as often as he would have liked, and it’s thought that Chris Wilder is willing to allow him to leave - which has alerted Jack Ross and Stewart Donald to his services.

Another player we understand that Sunderland are interested in is Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney. The 22-year old former Northampton Town forward has spent the vast majority of his time with Newcastle out on loan at League One-level clubs, and last season played for both Wigan Athletic and Scunthorpe United.

He’s not the biggest but is strong and technically very good, with an eye for goal.

We understand that, in the case of Toney, a loan deal could be explored - but nothing much is forthcoming at present and as of right now he’s just one of a few players that the club’s recruitment team have within their sights.