Sunderland are interested in bringing Ellis Simms back to Wearside next season - but will face competition for the Everton striker from several Championship rivals. Simms joined Sunderland last summer on a season-long loan deal but was recalled to Goodison Park in January to aid the Toffeemen's battle against relegation - a fight they ultimately won.
But Simms ended up being little more than a bit-part player on Merseyside, making nine substitute outings and only two starts, and scoring one goal. By contrast, while at Sunderland the 22-year-old had made 17 appearances, all but three of them starts, and had scored seven goals.
Simms is about to enter the final year of his contract and that could prompt Everton to move him on this summer, with Sean Dyche likely to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements to avoid another brush with relegation this time around. Sunderland are understood to have made contact with Everton to discuss Simms' situation as they look to bring in additional strikers this summer.
