According to The Daily Mail, Sunderland are one of a number of clubs in the market for West Brom youngster Rayhaan Tulloch.
The striker is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Baggies but has looked promising in Premier League 2 this term, scoring four times and also laying on two assists.
A product of the academy that produced Tyler Roberts, Kemar Roofe and Saido Berahino, the Baggies youth setup is a flourishing one.
Last season they reached the FA Youth Cup semi-final, a run Tulloch netted four goals in five outings.
However, if Sunderland want to acquire his signature on a loan basis, they’ll have to fight hard to bring him to Wearside.
Leeds, Stoke and Wigan are all after him while the 19-year-old has attracted interest from the top-flight as well. He is on the radar of Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Southampton and Newcastle.
It would be quite the statement if the Black Cats were able to land him but if he did indeed arrive at the Stadium of Light, would he be a good signing?
Our team of writers at FFC passed their verdicts.
Lewis Blain:
“Sunderland are in a spot of bother in League One currently, but manager Phil Parkinson needs to be given time to stamp his mark on the squad. After all, it was assembled by his predecessor, Jack Ross. If he’s given the backing to do so, January offers up the perfect chance to do exactly that and what better move is there than to start with their faltering frontline.
“An addition like Rayhaan Tulloch would bring its questions, there’s no doubting that – the 18-year-old is yet to taste any senior football at West Brom, although, he comes with the pedigree of being an England youth international who will be surely keen to prove he can cut it in the men’s game. The club have never really replaced Josh Maja but here they have a player in a similar mould.
“The Baggies youngster has four goals and two assists in nine Premier League 2 appearances this campaign, playing in just about every attacking position known to man, per Transfermarkt. On Monday night, a whole host of top-flight teams were scouting him against Manchester United, and even though he didn’t contribute with a goal, it only goes to show the level at which he could reach. Forget Grigg, forget Maguire, forget McNulty. Tulloch can bolster the Black Cats’ season.”
Vijievan Jeevathalyan:
“To paraphrase one of football’s greatest ever chants, Will Grigg isn’t on fire, and no defence is terrified. The Sunderland marksman hasn’t found his shooting boots at all this season, netting just once in League One, and only three across all competitions. Reinforcements up-front would be much welcomed, and in West Brom prospect Rayhaan Tulloch, they could well find the man to solve their goal-scoring woes.
“A versatile forward who has already played in five different positions in his fledgling career, the 18-year-old has been shining at Premier League 2 level. He has four in nine games this campaign, with an additional two assists to his name too, and could provide a much-needed spark to Phil Parkinson’s side. Whilst he may not have bundles of experience, he can add some youthful exuberance, paying no attention to Sunderland’s current plight and simply getting on with his game. It’s a gamble worth taking.”
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Charles Jones:
“Signing any player who has yet to play a senior game is a bit of a risk, but there may not be a team that needs to take this gamble more than Sunderland.
“The Black Cats are undoubtedly one of the biggest sides in League One, but they’re severely under-performing as they sit 11th in the Championship, scoring just 24 goals in 19 games this term.
“On paper, Sunderland’s attack should be brilliant as both Charlie Wyke and Will Grigg have hit double figures in League One before, but it’s simply not happening.
“There’s no harm in rolling the dice on this West Brom loanee.”
Matt Dawson:
“This will be a real test of Sunderland’s pulling power. We know they’re one of the biggest clubs in their division but with the run they’re on at the moment, winning two of their last 12 games, is it really a project you want to be involved in?
“It’s a difficult question to answer but there is no denying that Wearside would be a fabulous place for a young player to develop at. Such is the stature and pressure surrounding the club, you are unlikely to come across that type of environment too much while out on loan anywhere else.
“Given Tulloch’s lack of first-team football, it’s hard to assess whether he’d be a good signing but it’s certainly worth a gamble. He scores goals and Sunderland have lacked that significantly this term, netting just 13 strikes during Parkinson’s 12-game tenure. Tulloch has four goals this season in just nine matches and possesses a direct, skilful and quick game that’s much like Josh Maja’s. I think this would definitely be a signing worth pursuing.”
Meanwhile, one Sunderland youngster is giving supporters a reason to be positive…
