SAFC Rumours

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What former Tottenham Hotspur managers have said about Sunderland target Dane Scarlett

Sunderland have expressed interest in another promising Premier League striker.

Sunderland kicked off their Championship campaign without a new no.9, as Alexandre Mendy’s transfer saga continues.

The Caen forward is eager to make the move to Wearside, but the Black Cats are becoming frustrated in negotiations with the Ligue 2 outfit.

Eliezer Mayenda was handed a starting spot against Cardiff City and while he looked lively, the general consensus was that he is far from ready to be playing Championship football.

With the Spaniard and teammate Luis Hemir potentially set for loan exits, Sunderland are now looking to bring in another back-up option.

While they are yet to sign a first-choice attacker, they are now looking to Tottenham Hotspur for another young gem.

Sunderland have ‘significant interest’ in Scarlett

The Wearside outfit have already been linked with 19-year-old Will Lankshear, but journalist Michael Graham reported yesterday that they now have ‘significant interest’ in Dane Scarlett too.

The 20-year-old has 29 goals in 42 appearances for Spurs’ youth teams, but has been unable to make his mark on senior football.

Scarlett has had two loan spells in the EFL with Ipswich Town and Portsmouth, but managed six goals in 40 matches for the latter, while he failed to score at all for the Tractor Boys.

The striker was unable to pin down regular minutes whilst out on loan though and is still considered as very highly-rated in North London.

Former Spurs managers Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho both spoke very highly of Scarlett during their stints with the club.

Back in 2021, Mourinho tipped the youngster to become an England international.

He told The Times: “I know he’s still very young, just 17, and it is probably too early for the next World Cup, but Tottenham Hotspur have a striker in Dane Scarlett, who, if everything goes well, is going to be phenomenal. For England, there is lots of promise.”

In 2022, Conte told football.london: “I’m seeing a lot of improvement today in Scarlett honestly if I have to tell you. Seeing that this guy is improving a lot, he’s only 17-years-old but I can tell you that he is a really important prospect for Tottenham.

“He has to be patient and work behind these very important players and continue to work in this way because about Scarlett, I can tell you that I see a brilliant future for him.”

Scarlett hasn’t found the right loan just yet

Scarlett has struggled to replicate his goalscoring form into senior football, but receiving such compliments from two of Europe’s biggest managers must count for something.

The forward struggled to get game-time at Ipswich due to their strength in depth, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be successful elsewhere.

While fans will be concerned due to the failure of Mason Burstow, it is believed that Scarlett would be brought in as a back-up option and would therefore have a lot less pressure on his head.

Regis Le Bris has found success in developing young players and could be really useful for Scarlett’s progression if he was to move to the Stadium of Light.

It seems like a fairly sensible idea if the Black Cats are to still buy a senior striker too, but supporters will be very wary of the fact that is yet to happen.

I don't know how to do this properly, but the link half way down this page looks nearly 'a done deal' 👍

not606.com/threads/summer-24-transfer-window.411635/page-680

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Scouting Session: Reported Sunderland striking target Wilson Isidor — what’s he like?

Sunderland have been linked with Zenit St Petersburg’s 23-year-old French forward Wilson Isidor, but who is he?

According to sources, Sunderland have agreed the loan signing of Wilson Isidor from Zenit St Petersburg in the Russian Premier League on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent transfer at the completion of the 2024/25 season. The 6ft 1in centre forward only joined the Russian outfit from rivals Lokomotiv Moscow on 1st July for €4m after an impressive spell with the club, making 26 goal contributions in 42 appearances.

So, who is Wilson Isidor?

The former French U20 international is capable of playing anywhere across the front line, but has been most prolific as a central number nine during his career in Russia following a switch from Monaco in January 2022. The dynamic 23-year-old was voted the Russian Premier League’s Player of the Year by journalists for the 2023/24 season and has been touted as a talented player looking to bring his refined skills back to Europe.

Having started his career in France, Isidor moved to Russia in 2022 to join Lokomotiv Moscow, seeking to further his career and gain more senior opportunities. Isidor has been credited for his ability to link play and show good awareness of teammates to keep fast-flowing counter-attacks moving, something which fits into the system Sunderland are trying to deploy under Régis Le Bris.

From a profile perspective, the striker stands at 6ft 1in and uses both his large, slender frame and quick acceleration to his advantage when playing with his back to goal against defenders, either linking up with teammates or buying himself a small segment of space to take a shot. Having played much of his youth football both on the left and up front, no doubt the young Frenchman will have taken inspiration from Henry and Martial in the way he’s developed his game, and therefore often finds himself in the left inside channel, which he frequently utilised during his time at Zenit.

Wilson Isidor Shot Profile

Taking a look at his statistical shot map above, given Isidor’s dominant right foot, there’s a clear pattern in his shot-taking locations, often opening his body up onto his strong foot for a finish across the goalkeeper. So far this season, Isidor has scored once in his first three games from only 50 minutes of match time. All of this came from an 0.65xG, meaning he’s taken the chance he had very well.

During his most productive season with Lokomotiv Moscow during the 2022/23 campaign, he managed to contribute 9 goal contributions (8G/1A) in just 20 games and 1,100 minutes of football. All of this was done from a 5.12xG, which once again demonstrates that he’s an above-average finisher when presented with an opportunity in front of goal.

Isidor has a habit of finishing at the far post; his trademark strike appears to be across the goalkeeper into the far post after creating some space for himself.

Isidor has the added experience over his fellow compatriots at Sunderland that he’s already notched a good chunk of senior minutes at a competitive level whilst also operating out-wide when required.

Given his unique profile and physical gifts, he’s able to use a turn of pace to break high-lines and could be used to great effect in Sunderland’s high-pressing system.

As fans will appreciate, given the current situation in Russia, widely available data is difficult to come by, and therefore there’s limited exposure to publicly accessible analytical data. As a result, it’s hard to provide a player profile comparison, unlike with players coming from Europe’s main leagues. However, I’m sure the club will have performed their due diligence and clearly see some clinical aspects in the 23-year-old’s game to make a statement acquisition for their senior striker.

With RPL league rules dictating a limited number of “foreign” player slots, it seems Zenit St Petersburg are willing to cut their losses on the Frenchman and allow him to seek pastures new in favour of a new international signing.

The Echo

Kristjaan Speakman's potential double Sunderland transfer deal edging closer ahead of deadline day
James Copley

The latest transfer headlines that you may have missed with Sunderland closing in on a breakthrough...

Sunderland have won their opening two Championship fixtures against Cardiff City away and Sheffield Wednesday at home under new head coach Régis Le Bris.

Moreover, the Black Cats appear to be making some headway in the transfer market with two striker deals edging closer to completion ahead of deadline day later this month.

Here, we take a look at the main headlines you may have missed regarding Sunderland and transfers:

Alexandre Mendy latest

Foot Mercato shared a statement from Mendy’s camp: "Alex is still determined to join Sunderland, there are about ten days left, we will not give up, our determination is intact. We remain positive and we are counting on the new management to unblock this situation."

Sunderland are said to have increased their offer for Mendy to somewhere between £1.7 million and £2.6 million, including bonuses. Mendy also has interest from Italian sides Lecce, Sampdoria, and Salernitana. However, the Guinea-Bissau international is still intent on moving to England.

Wilson Isidor transfer links

The former Monaco youngster, 23, currently plays for Zenit St Petersburg after a productive spell at Lokomotiv Moscow earlier in his career. On Tuesday, the Russian club’s CEO stated that the forward is headed for Wearside, and The Echo understands that this is accurate..

It’s not yet clear what if any impact this will have on the pursuit of SM Caen forward Alexandre Mendy, whose agent again reiterated on Tuesday that the player wanted a move to Wearside.

echo

Sunderland transfer breakthrough edges closer with Wilson Isidor medical reportedly booked

James Copley

The Russian publication has provided an interesting update on Sunderland’s pursuit of Wilson Isidor

Wilson Isidor is reportedly set to undergo a medical at Sunderland after arriving in England this week.

The former Monaco youngster, 23, currently plays for Zenit St Petersburg after a productive spell at Lokomotiv Moscow earlier in his career. Zenit’s CEO was quoted on Tuesday stating that the forward is headed for Wearside, and The Echo understands that this is accurate.

The exact terms of the deal are not currently known but reports have suggested that it is likely to be a loan deal with an option to buy. Isidor only officially joined Zenit on a permanent basis in July of this year, after an obligation-to-buy clause was triggered following his season-long loan from Lokomotiv.

And now, Russian publication Sports Express has claimed the player is undergoing a medial with the club. Their report states: “As SE has learned, 23-year-old Zenit striker Wilson Isidor arrived in England on Wednesday, August 21, to complete his transfer to Sunderland. The footballer will have to undergo a medical examination.”

we have midfielders here who scored more goals last season. 🧐