Roker Roundup: Controversial striker, who was targetted by Sunderland, has been transfer listed

January target transfer listed

While Sunderland struggled to complete the League One record signing of Will Grigg back in January, the club looked at many other targets to provide goals.

One of the strongest links to emerge was with Sheffield United’s Ched Evans. Evans was on loan at Fleetwood Town and rumours emerged that Evans could be recalled before moving to the Stadium of Light.

In the end, the transfer of Grigg was pushed through right at the death, but Evans may still be of interest to Sunderland with Chris Wilder transfer listing the striker yesterday.

Sheffield United are reshuffling ahead of a season in the Premier League and as well as Evans, Ben Heneghan, Leon Clarke, Jake Wright, Samir Carruthers, Nathan Thomas and Ricky Holmes have all been placed on the transfer list.

Heneghan and Holmes were also linked with a move to the Stadium of Light in the past year.

Will any make the move this summer?

Photo by James Chance/Getty Images

Reported target signs for the Rams

Sunderland had been linked with a move for soon-to-be free agent Graeme Shinnie, as the Aberdeen captain reaches the end of his contract at Pittrodrie.

However, the 27-year-old has signed a pre-contract deal with Frank Lampard’s Derby County that will see him pen a three-year deal at Pride Park at the end of the campaign.

Speaking about the move, Shinnie said he that he felt now was the right time to test himself in England after a successful spell in the Scottish Premiership:

I’ve had four good years at Aberdeen and I feel like now, at my age, that this was the right time for me.

Everything feels right for me so that’s why I’ve made the decision to move to Derby County.

I’ve been the captain of Aberdeen, had so many happy memories at the club and my family have been settled but weighing everything up, this is the right move.

I’ve not rushed into any sort of decision; I’ve thought long and hard about it, but this is my time to test myself in England and hopefully it works out.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Whitby test for under-23s

Sunderland under-23s will face Whitby Town’s first team in pre-season, the Yorkshire club have confirmed.

The match against the Northern Premier League club will take place at the Academy of Light on Tuesday, July 23 at 7.30pm and is one of five warm up matches confirmed for Whitby, with matches against Billingham Synthonia, Guisborough Town, Stockton Town and Marske United also on the cards.