Why Sunderland’s Lewis Grabban Would Be A Good Signing For Wolves
Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers look set to make a January move for Sunderland’s on-loan striker Lewis Grabban.
His parent club, Bournemouth, still have the right to recall him from the northeast side and sell him, which could interest the 29-year-old. However, the news may not be something that Sunderland fans and Chris Coleman will want to hear.
According to reports, both Wolves and Fulham are looking to tempt Bournemouth into selling the striker after he put up a string of impressive displays. He scored 10 goals in 13 games for the struggling Wearsiders – starting in all of them. Considering his electrifying form, the south coast club might choose to recall him in January since Eddie Howe’s men could use some of that power up front.
Sunderland can do nothing to prevent the recall – such are the perils of loan moves, and this could leave them in dire trouble after an encouraging start under new man Coleman.
Despite their goalscoring exploits so far – especially after their 4-1 and 5-1 home victories against Leeds United and Bolton recently – Leo Bonatini is Wolves’ only recognised striker. They need reinforcements and it was only in October that they were talking about bringing in another forward.
At first they were looking to sign another big name for big money; however, since then, Bonatini has really shown his worth, and it would be counterproductive of them to bring someone in who would demand the Brazilian’s place. Instead, Grabban would prove to be a great backup to the Championship’s Player of the Month for October.
Whatever happens, Wolves’ owners Fosun will have no issues in financing whatever striker Nuno Espirito Santo deems needed for their title push, though in Grabban’s case his transfer fee would not break the bank.
Grabban seems to have belatedly found his feet at this level, having started out at Crystal Palace before moving to Rotherham and then to Bournemouth for a £300,000 fee during the summer transfer window back in 2012.
He did do well on the south coast, scoring 35 goals across a two-year period before moving to Norwich City for £3million, though he ended up back with Bournemouth less than two years later.
Grabban moved to Reading on loan for the second half of last season as the Royals got all the way to the playoff final at Wembley, though ultimately he could not help them seal a promotion to the Premier League.
The Englishman went on to secure a loan move to Sunderland and despite his personal form, the club are in a dire situation and the striker may not want to be part of a team that could go down to the third tier of English football. Hence, a move to join Wolves could prove to be enticing for Grabban.
For Wolves’ part, they need a backup for Bonatini, and at this level now, there aren’t many better than Grabban.