Sunderland may finally be out of Ellis Simms pursuit after latest price tag reveal

Sunderland have been targeting a move for Everton striker Ellis Simms all summer.

Sunderland's summer pursuit of Everton striker Ellis Simms looks to have finally come to an end.

Or at least that's the view of Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith.

Simms has been linked with a clutch of Championship sides and Sunderland have unsurprisingly been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old who shone on loan during the first part of last season.

Ipswich Town have made the first move to sign Simms this summer. They're reported to have seen a £4million bid for Simms knocked back by the Toffees, who reportedly want a fee of between £7million and £10million for Simms.

And that price tag, Smith says, has perhaps ruled Sunderland out of the race to sign Simms this summer.

He tweeted earlier today:

#SAFC want/need another striker but at that price - think we can assume it ain't going to Simms.

That's huge money for a (v good) striker in last year of a contract https://t.co/gzGGMMCJku

— Phil Smith (@Phil__Smith) July 3, 2023

Sunderland's striker search...

It's clear that Sunderland need a striker or two this summer, especially with Ross Stewart now set to miss the start of next season.

Luis Semedo has arrived and he brings fresh blood to the Black Cats' attacking line, but more is needed if Tony Mowbray's side are to avoid their pitfalls of last season.

Simms would've ben a very good addition but Everton's price tag is steep. It's difficult to see any Champisonhip club coughing up that much for the player, especially Sunderland who focus their transfer business on young and often unknown players who don't break the bank.

There'll be other options out there for Sunderland though and expect Kristjaan Speakman to have a number of promising strikers on his transfer radar this summer.

If Mowbray can get another prolific striker in to compliment Stewart and provide cover for the Scot, then another top six finish could be well on the cards for Sunderland.

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