The genius bargain deal that could kick-start Sunderland's summer transfer window

It is almost a little disconcerting to see Sunderland do so much right in such a short space of time. In the span of a couple of weeks, the Black Cats have appointed a new manager in the form of Regis Le Bris, released a stunning Hummel-manufactured home kit that has been met with near-universal acclaim while also dramatically revamping their club shop, and have tied prodigious teenager Chris Rigg down a to professional contract that should keep him at the Stadium of Light until at least 2027. Us Mackems are not used to such outpourings of efficiency and competence. Surely there is a catch.

Of course, the reality is that Sunderland’s work for the summer is not even halfway complete. While the early signs of rejuvenation have gone a small way towards quelling the disquiet that blazed through the club during the latter part of last season, there is still an awful lot of graft to be done if the Black Cats are to properly reestablish themselves as promotion contenders come next term. And much of that toil will be undertaken in the transfer market.

Recruitment, or a lack thereof, could make or break Mackem ambitions in the coming weeks, while the prospect of several key figures being prised away from the Stadium of Light lingers in the background like the eerie held note of detuned violin in the score of a slasher film. Jack Clarke is the most obvious candidate for a departure, but there will also be fears surrounding the likes of Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, and a smattering of others besides.

For now, though, let us focus on the need for acquisitions. And nowhere is that need felt more keenly than at the point of attack. Who knows how many more games Sunderland would have won, or how much higher up in Championship table they would have finished last season, had they been able to rely on a capable and consistent centre forward, but as Ross Stewart slunk off to Southampton’s treatment room, and as the combined forces of Luis Hemir, Nazariy Rusyn, Mason Burstow, and Eliezer Mayenda proved to be about as effective as a concrete life jacket, the Black Cats found themselves blunted and ineffective, a water pistol in a gunfight.

Naturally, that will have to be addressed this summer, and according to GiveMeSport, Sunderland may already be eyeing their first attacking signing of the transfer window. The online outlet report that the Wearsiders are ‘leading the race’ to sign young forward Divin Mubama after it was announced that he will not be extending his contract with Premier League outfit West Ham. The teenager has snubbed the offer of a new deal in East London, and is now attracting interest from a host of Championship clubs, as well as sides from Germany and France.

It is Sunderland who have stolen an early march on their rivals, however, and who are hopeful of wrapping up an agreement with the free agent as soon as they possibly can. Apparently. GiveMeSport go on to emphasise just how highly-rated Mubama is at the London Stadium, as well as reiterating just how desperate West Ham were to keep hold of their academy graduate. But the Hammers’ loss could be Sunderland’s gain.

There is, of course, an elephant in the room here; if Mubama and Mubama alone was the Black Cats’ only centre forward recruit this summer, there would be riots on the streets of Wearside. Here we have a player who has just 18 senior appearances (and one goal) to his name. Sunderland need more.

That being said, his potential is there for all to see. With 40 goals in 57 outings at U18 level, and 18 in 34 at U21, the 19-year-old evidently knows where the back of the net is, and if his arrival was supplemented by a more experienced acquisition or two, then perhaps he could develop into a really decent option for the Black Cats.

Certainly, given that Mubama is available on a free transfer - and given the low bar set by Sunderland’s current crop of strikers - he is worth a punt. As long as his arrival kick-starts a summer of improved transfer activity, this could be a savvy piece of business.