O’Neill still chasing new striker for Sunderland as Defoe link resurfaces
Martin O’Neill is hopeful Sunderland can sign a striker before the transfer window closes with Jermaine Defoe rumoured to be back on his radar.
The Black Cats signed Louis Saha on a year long deal last week following his release from Everton but O’Neill believes his side still needs a new forward to supplement the Frenchman, Fraizer Campbell and Stephane Sessegnon.
Scotland international Steven Fletcher has been heavily linked with a move to Wearside for much of the summer with Wolverhampton Wanderers rejecting a £10 million bid despite the hit man handing in a transfer request.
The Championship side are said to value 25-year-old Fletcher at around the £15m in the hope that it will deter the Sunderland boss from making a fresh bid and the Ulsterman could turn his attentions to Defoe if he can’t strike a deal.
Despite starting and scoring in Tottenham Hotspur’s opening day defeat to Newcastle United there is still an uncertainty regarding the England international’s future at White Hart Lane
O’Neill concedes that he is desperate to reinforce his attack before the end of the month hinting that he could move again for Fletcher after drawing a blank against a shaky Arsenal back four on Saturday.
“We would have liked to have had some players in before the Arsenal game, but that did not happen,” he said.
“We have a lot of spirit about us, but lack quality in some positions. We need some better attacking options.
“Fletcher has been one of the players mentioned, but we need to strengthen because we need some help.
“There were little moments where Louis Saha showed his class, but expecting a 33-year-old to come in and play X number of games for us is out of the question. I am hopeful we are able to do something.”
