Five players Sunderland should buy in January
By Roy Emanuel
Andre Gray
To avoid the drop to the Championship, sometimes a Premier League club needs to take a risk in order to improve their squad. It may come with the possibility of failure, but the success can outweigh the negatives. David Moyes can do just with the pursuit of Burnley striker Andre Gray.
Sunderland ownership made a big push for the 25-year old in the last transfer window ahead of the current season. Gray had an incredible campaign in 2015-16, scoring 23 goals and leading the Clarets to a promotion back to the Premier League.
Burnley’s 30 million pound price tag ultimately lead to the deal falling through. But things have changed for all involved since those hectic summer months.
A four-match ban from the FA in September for vulgar social media posts hurt both Gray’s reputation and form. The talented forward has only one league goal thus far in six matches.
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It would certainly be a risk, but a change of scenery would benefit Gray and Sunderland in many ways. Still young and capable of improvement, the former Luton Town star brings power and pace to the top of the formation. Whether by himself or alongside Jermain Defoe, Gray could see his form back on the rise with a move to the North East.
With so much having changed since the two clubs had spoken about his availability, the transfer fee is undoubtedly negotiable at this point in time. David Moyes and Sunderland could bag one of the best young strikers in England during the January transfer period with Andre Gray being added to the roster.