It's no surprise to see Nathan Broadhead linked with a return to Sunderland this summer following a stellar loan spell last season. The Welsh striker scored 13 goals during his Stadium of Light tenure and earned a first senior call-up to Rob Page's Wales squad.
The 24-year-old was unable to make his debut for his country with the injury he sustained at the end of last season, ruling him out of the international fixtures. Nonetheless, that call-up was thoroughly deserved and it may have played a part in Frank Lampard wanting to assess the striker this summer.
Broadhead returned to Merseyside and was included in the Toffees' pre-season squad for their tour of America but has struggled for game time. With that in mind, it's come as a surprise to see reports claim Everton have offered Broadhead a new deal, with him in the final year of his contract.
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Sunderland had been linked with a permanent move for Broadhead earlier this summer, but a new deal at Goodison would likely end any hope of that. A loan move could still be in the offing, with the Black Cats boasting a good rapport with the Premier League outfit - having already taken Ellis Simms on loan this season - making Wearside a strong favourite as a potential destination.
A move for Broadhead this summer would still be a no-brainer, but Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman have developed quite the talent for unearthing a gem. The new recruitment blueprint at the Stadium of Light has paid dividends to far.
Dennis Cirkin, Broadhead and Carl Winchester were relative unknowns on Wearside prior to their arrival, but all three played a huge part in the return to the Championship. Sunderland and Speakman could repeat that fat this summer, if Broadhead stays at Goodison Park.
The injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin could see the Welshman given an opportunity to impress. Although Alex Neil knows just what to expect from Broadhead, he may be forced to look elsewhere this summer.
Loan moves have also worked well in the past, but knowing a player has to head back to their parent club at the end of their loan spell, is always a risk - as per Broadhead. You would hope that Sunderland would add another permanent addition to their squad up front, with Ross Stewart still the only striker permanently on the books.
Simms is an astute addition, but if they want to slowly build a side capable of returning to the Premier League, having players that can develop over the course of three or four years is a must. The club have done well at restricting any transfer leaks since the arrival of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, springing a number of surprises and they could spring another with some wildcard additions.
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