Sunderland should sign Kieffer Moore and then follow it up with these 2 deals | OneFootball

With a difficult season now finalised for Sunderland, their attentions can turn to the transfer market and investing into the squad for the 2024/25 campaign.

After an underwhelming season of stagnation in the second tier in finishing 16th in the league, there are bound to be a number of changes behind the scenes at the Stadium of Light, with the futures of many players up for discussion in both the short and long-term.

The club have had four permanent managers in two years and are in need of the next boss to take a young squad to the next level. A swift appointment would also allow for an easier summer, with whoever comes in able to assess the playing squad and hit the ground running, whilst dragging things out could see the Black Cats fall behind their Championship peers in preparation for next season.

For now, the club have plenty of work to do, and that includes signings. Here, we have taken a look at three incomings that Sunderland should look to make as soon as possible, as the Black Cats aim to be in the promotion hunt again in 2024/25.

Kieffer Moore

Last season, the Black Cats signed Nazariy Rusyn, Eliezer Mayenda, Mason Burstow, and Luis Semedo, and they recorded a combined total of three goals. One obvious area that the club must address is their goal output in attack, and one way to improve would be signing a centre-forward that can guarantee goals at this level.

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. 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 AFC 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, the Wearsiders need to put their obsession with signing young players behind them and add some experience to their squad in some areas, particularly down their spine.

Moore would add a much-needed focal point to spearhead 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, perhaps 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.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Despite plenty of continuity down Sunderland's spine being crucial, wide players are certain to be priority signings on the club's agenda this summer, though any move for the Crystal Palace man may be contingent on Jack Clarke or Patrick Roberts departing for a new club first but both are bound to have interest once again this summer.

The 21-year-old scored 15 goals and claimed a further nine assists in all competitions for Charlton Athletic in 2022/23, but could be a great left-footed loan option if Palace are willing to part ways with him temporarily. Sunderland may have a left-footed right-winger in Roberts, but Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's searing pace could add an extra dynamic should they look to add to their attacking line.

Experience is vital for Sunderland in plenty of areas of the team, but flair players with plenty of youthful exuberance out wide are not a bad thing to have. Rak-Sakyi is a player who attracted plenty of interest from Championship clubs in the summer after an incredible season on loan with Charlton Athletic last year. It seemed to be a two-horse race, as both Leicester City and Ipswich Town were named as possible destinations for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. However, he remained at Palace.

He can dazzle with his two-footed ability, speed, and directness but spent most of the year on the treatment table with a hamstring issue, but would benefit hugely from a Championship move, should Palace send him out temporarily again, or choose to cash-in. Even when not injured, the winger seldom featured, and was a largely peripheral figure from the bench, now in need of kickstarting his career in the second tier.

Karamoko Dembele

Rak-Sakyi may be more wedded to the right flank, which Karamoko Dembele has frequently been deployed in, but the former Celtic youngster has bags of ability and more versatility to play centrally, or possibly from the left. He is very much a playmaker type of winger, and his spell on loan with Blackpool proved to be a fruitful one, as well as one which highlighted the need for him to play at a higher level than League One.

The 21-year-old became a real fans' favourite among the Seasiders faithful and with nine goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions, Dembele made a clear contribution to their play-off bid, despite the club falling just short on the final day of the campaign. Any deal for Dembele could be agreed with Stade Brestois in the summer, and his contract with the French side runs until the summer of 2026.

In that sense, it likely wouldn't be a deal that would cost Sunderland a fortune to complete, and there is logic to it, but it may rely on a few factors, such as cashing in on Clarke. The likelihood is that there will be an overhaul of wingers at the Stadium of Light this summer.

However, his versatility in operating centrally as well, make the diminutive forward the right sort of replacement for the likes of Clarke and Roberts alongside Rak-Sakyi. Both also fit the model of pre-peak players who need further development, and Dembele's age and potential make him an attractive proposition, if funds they would raise for that aforementioned pair are found.

It appears he is more than ready to make the step-up to Championship football next season, and he could form part of Sunderland's new-look attacking unit, should they need to rebuild next season. He isn't short of suitors, with the likes of Premier League sides Everton, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham all credited with an interest in Dembele. Championship promotion winners Leicester City and Southampton, as well as second-tier sides such as Leeds United and Middlesbrough are also thought to be keen on the winger.