Ex-Nottingham Forest star is shining in MLS - Leicester City, West Brom & Sheffield United should plot January moves | OneFootball

Sam Surridge has excelled since his move to Nashville, and his performances last season should prompt Championship transfer interest in January.

The January transfer window is often pivotal in the Championship, and it’s unlikely to be any different this season when the market opens.

Whether you are fighting for promotion, or to stay in the league, January business can be vital, but it’s often very difficult for clubs to get deals done mid-season.

In many cases, they are competing for the same players, and you then need the individual to hit the ground running.

Sam Surridge would be a huge coup for any Championship club this January

Therefore, it can be beneficial to target players with Championship experience, and one man who fits the bill on that front is Sam Surridge.

The striker is known to most Football League supporters, as he has turned out for Swansea, Bournemouth, Stoke and Nottingham Forest in the second tier respectively.

In truth, Surridge didn’t always convince, but a move to MLS outfit Nashville has helped the 27-year-old fulfil the potential that many felt he had.

After impressing in his first year-and-a-half, Surridge’s game went up another level in the MLS campaign that has just finished, as he managed an outstanding return of 25 goals in 37 games, whilst adding a further six in the cup, with Lionel Messi (34) and Denis Bouanga (26) the only players to outscore him in the regular season.

With Messi’s Inter Miami knocking Nashville out of the play-offs, Surridge’s season is now over, but his performances are sure to have caught the eye of English clubs - and we look at THREE clubs who should try to bring him back to the Championship in the New Year…

Leicester City

Leicester have had an underwhelming season so far, with Marti Cifuentes’ side yet to really firmly prove that they're in the promotion mix this season, and a lot of their struggles can be put down to the lack of a proper number nine.

Jordan Ayew lacks the mobility that’s required to lead the line, whilst Patson Daka and Julian Carranza are yet to convince either.

So, it’s surely inevitable that the Foxes will be in the market for a new striker this winter, and Surridge could be the perfect fit.

He works hard, he will run the channels, and, crucially, score goals. Plus, his physicality makes him the ideal focal point for the likes of Stephy Mavididi, Abdul Fatawu and Jeremy Monga to play off.

West Brom

It’s a similar story for West Brom, with their big summer signing Aune Heggebo having also struggled to hit the ground running in the Championship since arriving from Brann, whilst Josh Maja is also yet to replicate his goalscoring form from last season.

The Baggies are among the lowest scorers in the division through the opening third of the campaign, which simply isn’t good enough, and whilst they do need to add more pace and creativity to the team, they do also appear to lack the presence of a prolific striker.

Again, Surridge’s skill-set looks exactly what they need, and he could transform a team that has been competitive but lacks that killer instinct.

Albion will hope to be in the mix for a top six finish this season, so the chance to join a club with Premier League ambitions may appeal to the player.

Sheffield United

Chris Wilder has not been happy with Sheffield United’s attacking options since he returned to the club, which is why he sanctioned a move for Patrick Bamford on a free transfer.

The ex-Leeds man might plug a gap in the short-term, but you would expect the Blades to be in the market for a number nine in January, and Wilder wants someone who can play with his back to goal, as the likes of Oli McBurnie and Kieffer Moore have done over the years.

Surridge is capable of playing that role, and, as outlined above, he can score goals, which Sheffield United are severely lacking as well.

The Blades are battling to stay in the league, but the long-term project under Wilder may appeal to Surridge, as the boyhood Blades fan has shown he can take the club back to the top flight.