Sunderland urged to sign £20m Premier League forward alongside Leicester icon Jamie Vardy

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Gus Poyet is not the only one talking up a potential move to Sunderland for Leicester City and Premier League legend Jamie Vardy.

This, the former Black Cats boss argued a few days ago, should ‘definitely [be] an option’ for Sunderland to consider as the transfer window swings open.

At a time when Sunderland are being linked to a £17 million Ukraine international in Dynamo Kyiv talisman Vladyslav Vanat, while KV Westerlo’s Croatian powerhouse Matija Frigan weighs up a potential switch to the Stadium of Light, could the play-off winners instead look a lot closer to home for a centre-forward capable of saving them from the fate suffered by Ipswich, Luton, Burnley, Southampton and Leicester City?

Speaking of Leicester, the evergreen Jamie Vardy scored nine top-flight goals last season at the age of 38.

Clearly, while his pace is not quite as scorching as it once was, his finishing instincts are as razor-sharp as ever.

Former Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor, meanwhile, sees additions like Vardy and Jordan Henderson as potentially integral to Sunderland’s hopes of survival.

Sunderland urged to bring in Jamie Vardy alongside Jordan Henderson

While there are no genuine links yet between the Black Cats and Vardy, top Dutch reporter Mike Verweij claims that Jordan Henderson’s Sunderland return is a possibility.

The ‘way is clear’, he says, as Ajax look to remove the veteran midfielder from their wage bill.

“The MLS would suit [Vardy] but could he go to a Leeds United or a Sunderland? Then, you talk about wages. The money he would have got at Leicester, he would probably get half that. I’m sure he will keep his options open,” Agbonlahor argues.

“Jordan Henderson will be a great signing but are they going to get the business done? You look at their starting XI, you wouldn’t fancy them in the Premier League. They are going to have to do major business.”

Beating Sheffield United in the play-off final could see Sunderland retain the services of Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and Wilson Isidor, while Enzo Le Fee is now a permanent member of Regis Le Bris’ squad. Eliezer Mayenda has admirers among Europe’s giants, meanwhile, but appears keen to stick around.

Wembley hero Tommy Watson agreed to join Brighton and Hove Albion all the way back in January, though, and his departure leaves the door ajar for Sunderland to bring another silky wideman to Wearside.

Black Cats must consider Ipswich Town winger Omari Hutchinson

Agbonlahor feels that the Black Cats could do worse than to look at Omari Hutchinson. If Liam Delap was Ipswich Town’s brightest spark in a season of struggle, then the often-electrifying Hutchinson was not far behind.

The £20 million signing from Stamford Bridge produced dazzling displays against the likes of Tottenham and former employers Chelsea.

And, at the age of 21, Hutchinson fits Sunderland’s youth-focused transfer policy very nicely indeed even if there does appear to be a need for more grizzled, been-there-and-done-it operators to back up a largely baby-faced squad.

“There has to be [experience added to the squad]. Can Sunderland be, like, neat and tidy in their business? Can they go for £30 million players who might not work and it’s a risk?,” Agbonlahor asks.

“And can they not find players who have been relegated from the Premier League? Players that have gone down with Leicester or Ipswich?

“Can you find Hutchinson from Ipswich, players like that? All three teams who have got promoted have got a lot of work to do, a lot of players to get rid of and a lot of experience to bring in.”

EFL Analysis, meanwhile, can now reveal that Borussia Dortmund have won the race to sign Jobe Bellingham from the Black Cats despite interest from Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt and a host of Premier League clubs.