Sunderland must rekindle Kieffer Moore flame whoever the new boss is: View | OneFootball

After a disappointing 16th-place finish last season, Sunderland face a big summer transfer window if they wish to improve and move up the league table.

The Black Cats fell off a cliff during the second half of 2023/24 and a lack of goalscoring threat from their strikers was a big reason why they finished so low in the table.

The club are still without a manager, having sacked Michael Beale back in February, and the club's hierarchy need to make some big decisions in the coming months in a bid to strengthen their squad.

One easy way to improve would be signing a striker, and one signing in particular would guarantee goals at this level.

Sunderland should attempt to sign Kieffer Moore this summer

Sunderland have previously been linked with Welsh international striker Kieffer Moore, with the Black Cats said to be interested in a move for him back in January.

However, the 31-year-old joined Ipswich Town on loan from Bournemouth and helped fire the Tractor Boys to the Premier League, scoring seven times in 18 games, including a crucial goal against Coventry City which helped to put them on the verge of the Premier League.

Moore is clearly an excellent player at this level and it's no surprise that seemingly half the Championship were trying to sign him when it became apparent that Bournemouth were happy to let him leave on loan.

If Sunderland were to sign Moore, they'd be signing a player who has scored 54 goals in the second tier in 173 appearances and one that is guaranteed to score goals.

Regardless of who the manager is, Sunderland need to put their obsession with signing young players behind them and add some experience to their squad.

Moore would add a much-needed focal point to their attack and would improve the side significantly. The Welshman could be the difference between a mid-table finish and finishing in the top six, such is the impact he's made previously in the division.

Sunderland, more so than any other side in the division, need to sign a proven Championship goalscorer, and with Moore's future at Bournemouth uncertain, they'd likely be able to sign him for a cut-price fee in the coming months.

Sunderland's strikers are simply not good enough

Quite simply, Sunderland's strikers just haven't been good enough, and the likes of Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus have to be held accountable for that.

Last season, the Black Cats signed Nazariy Rusyn, Eliezer Mayenda, Mason Burstow, and Luis Semedo, and they recorded a combined total of three goals.

It's no exaggeration to say that Moore could well equal that in his first month at the club if he was on form and that just highlights how desperate Sunderland are for a proven goalscorer.

Having a player like Moore at the club may also benefit the young strikers, with the 31-year-old able to share his wisdom and some of the Championship dark arts, amongst other things, with them, which could help them to improve.

Quite frankly, Sunderland are in big trouble if they start the Championship season with their current trio (Burstow has returned to Chelse), and if they only make one signing this summer, it has to be a striker.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said he's happy to keep the striker at the club but will listen to offers if the striker wants to leave.

This should be music to the ears of Sunderland's board and they need to make a move for him this summer.