Everton forward Tom Cannon has been the subject of internal conversations at Sunderland after being identified as an alternative to Ellis Simms.
The Black Cats were keen to re-sign Simms after he spent the first half of last season on loan at the Stadium of Light. The 22-year-old scored seven times in 14 starts for Tony Mowbray's side before being recalled by Everton.
However, it was Coventry City who won the race for the forward after meeting Everton’s valuation, which is thought to be between £6m-£8m. The deal was confirmed on Friday night.
And after missing out on Simms, Sunderland turned their attention to Cannon, who enjoyed a successful spell in the second tier with Preston North End during the second half of last season. The Aintree-born forward scored eight times in 20 appearances.
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But despite discussing the possibility of bringing Cannon to the North East, Sunderland have now turned their attention to options abroad as they believe a deal for the former Maricourt pupil is out of their pay structure, and they also don’t have the budget to launch a bid that would see the 20-year-old move to the Stadium of Light on a permanent basis.
The ECHO also understands that Cannon is not on the radar of newly promoted Luton Town, but Preston have met with Everton on at least two separate occasions over the prospect of signing the forward either on loan or on a permanent basis this summer.
Meanwhile, Reece Welch, who has been named in Everton’s travelling party for the club’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland, is keen to depart on loan this summer in a bid to gain first-team experience.
However, the ECHO understands that while the 19-year-old is admired by senior figures at MK Dons, the League Two club has not made a loan offer to Everton for the young defender. Welch almost joined the Dons during the January transfer window.
