“A big gamble” – Sunderland turn to £5.5m League Two striker to solve striker woes: The verdict
The Black Cats have set their sights on Notts County’s Macaulay Langstaff this month.
Sunderland are interested in signing Notts County striker Macaulay Langstaff, who has scored 21 goals this season.
Langstaff’s success at lower levels suggests he is capable of playing at a higher level, making him worth the risk for Sunderland.
While there is no guarantee of success, signing Langstaff offers Sunderland the chance to make a profit if he maintains his goalscoring form in the Championship.
Sunderland are among a host of EFL sides eyeing a move for Notts County striker Macaulay Langstaff this month.
The Wearsiders could do with adding a striker to boost their promotion challenge in the second half of the 2023/24 Championship campaign.
Sunderland eyeing Macaulay Langstaff
According to a report from Graeme Bailey/HITC, the Black Cats are among several EFL sides keen to snap up the 26-year-old.
Langstaff is having an impressive campaign with Notts County following their promotion to the fourth tier, having scored 21 goals in all competitions and helping his side reach sixth in the fourth-tier standings.
As per their report, Birmingham City, Derby County, Peterborough United, Wrexham, and Scottish side Hearts are all also keen on a deal.
Notts County will reportedly demand a £1.5 million fee for Langstaff to let him go this month.
The 26-year-old’s current deal expires in 2027.
Langstaff would be a big gamble for Sunderland
With the above reports in mind, it begs two questions.
Would this be a good signing for Sunderland? And, could the 26-year-old put an end to Sunderland’s current striker woes and stake a place as their first-choice number nine this season?
Some of our FLW writers have discussed the links below in order to try and answer those questions.
Simmey Hannifin-Donaldson
Given that Langstaff is operating at League Two level, and was playing in the National League last season, and the National League North before that, there is a clear gulf between where he is and has been playing recently, and the Championship.
That would make this move a big gamble for Sunderland, and yet, whilst the above fact demonstrates he has played his football at a lower standard of late, it also demonstrates he is a player on an upward trajectory and one consistently able to handle a step up in levels.
As such, this could well be worth the risk for Sunderland.
Worst-case scenario, for example, the club are no better off than they are now, and have to continue to rely on Jack Clarke to score their goals and keep them in play-off contention.
