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Sunderland are sat waiting in the wings to hear the outcome of Billy Sharp’s meeting with Sheffield United yesterday, in which the proven League One scorer met with his club in order to discuss his future with them.
Whilst the 32-year old is something of a hero at Bramall Lane, he played only 20 times last season in the Championship - scoring 8 goals - due to the tremendous form of Leon Clarke.
And whilst they’d like to hold on to him, he isn’t getting any younger. The prospect of one last big move to a club the size of Sunderland appeals to him, and it’s thought that Sharp is very keen on a move to Wearside.
The one perceived stumbling block could be his huge wages, but it’s our understanding that Sunderland would be prepared to push the boat out a little more in order to secure the signing of what would be without a doubt the top marksman in League One next season.
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In each of his last two seasons (2015-16 & 2016-17) as a third-tier player, Sharp scored 51 goals in 90 games for the Blades, firing them to promotion last year under the clever management of Chris Wilder.
As we’ve already reported, Sunderland have lodged bids for Charlie Wyke and Mohamed Eisa, and the hope is that with a formidable attacking trio of the aforementioned pair and Sharp that Sunderland would have the firepower to get themselves back into the Championship at the first time of asking.
But time is not on our side, and the club know this.
Efforts have been stepped up in order to get one or two deals pushed through, and with the season starting in two-and-a-half weeks everyone is fully aware of just how important it is that we make signings, and fast.
Stay tuned right here on RokerReport.com as we bring to you further news over the coming days and weeks on transfers and goings on around the club ahead of the new season.