Sunderland To Rival Three EFL Clubs For 14-Goal International Striker
Sunderland are keeping tabs on the progress of AFC Wimbledon’s in-form attacker Ali Al-Hamadi ahead of the January transfer window, according to Sunderland Nation.
The Black Cats are struggling in front of goal at the moment, having scored just once in their last three matches in the Championship. A 1-0 defeat last night away at Leicester City has pushed Tony Mowbray’s side down to ninth in the table.
Having lost Ross Stewart during the summer window following his £10 million move to league rivals Southampton, Sunderland’s top goalscorer this season is Jack Clarke with eight goals.
However, the second-highest scorer is locked between six different players, all of whom have bagged twice in England’s second-tier. Clarke has replaced the goalscoring proficiency of Manchester United’s Amad Diallo but Mowbray has yet to find a number ‘9’ who can replicate Stewart’s goalscoring form.
As reported by Sunderland Nation, the head coach has identified Wimbledon frontman Al-Hamadi as Sunderland’s future centre-forward.
The Iraq international moved to the Dons from Wycombe Wanderers in January 2023 and bagged 10 goals in his first 19 games in the English fourth division. The 21-year-old earned Wimbledon’s Player of the Year award for the 2022/23 campaign despite joining halfway through.
This season, goals have not come as easily, having bagged five times in 14 appearances in all competitions, but his form has still garnered interest from Sunderland, Peterborough United, Barnsley and Coventry City.
Sunderland sent scouts to watch Al-Hamadi on Saturday for Wimbledon in a goalless draw against Barrow as the January window sneaks ever closer.
Writer’s View
Al-Hamadi played in League One as a teenager with Wycombe but struggled for minutes and to find the net. While he is much better and more mature now, the jump from League Two to the Championship will be difficult to adapt to.
However, Sunderland’s interest is understandable. 14 goals in 32 league appearances for the Dons at 21 is not something to be sniffed at. The move would be a risk for all parties but could be one worth taking.
