Roker Roundup: 30-goal linked Sunderland ‘target’ is in demand; & some crack about Juan Sartori

Competition for striker

Ayr United’s free scoring striker Lawrence Shankland is out of contract with the Scottish Championship outfit at the end of the season and will be in high demand after scoring 30 goals in as many games this season.

Sunderland are thought to be one of the clubs interested in the 23-year-old but according to the Express, new Oldham manager Paul Scholes is eyeing an ambitious swoop for Shankland.

Swansea had an offer of £200,000 rejected by Ayr for the player last month, while Hull and Nottingham Forest have also been linked with a move.

New contract for Sharp

Sunderland were strongly linked with a move for Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp during the summer, with the club hoping to pair the striker with Charlie Wyke.

No move materialised however and the Blade have profited from Sharp staying at Brammall Lane as the 33-year-old has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season.

Sharp has now signed a new two-year deal with United which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2021 and Chris Wilder is delighted to get the deal done:

Billy is a natural goalscorer for us, we are delighted we have negotiated so that he can extend his period with the club.

I would imagine he is looking forward to more successful times, he looks after himself and has that drive and desire to keep pushing on. The group has evolved and improved in my time here and he has done likewise.

Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Sartori removed from UAG board

After declaring his intention to be the National Party’s candidate for the presidency of Uruguay, Juan Sartori gave up most of his business interests - not including his stake in Sunderland.

He has now been removed from the board of directors of the Union Agriculture Group, a company he founded and the company is now discussing whether or not to pay Satori the $3m he is contractually owed.

According to Búsqueda, UAG are at risk of defaulting on payments and need $20m before June, something the company denies.

Sunderland AFC via Getty Images