"A good little option" - Sunderland AFC told to consider swoop for ex-Watford player on a free | OneFootball

Sunderland have been told to explore a potential free transfer deal for Isaac Success, who was recently released by Udinese

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sunderland have been told to consider a free agent swoop for ex-Watford attacker Isaac Success, who was recently released by Udinese and is yet to find a new club.

The Black Cats have enjoyed an electrifying start to the 2024/25 Championship campaign and sit at the top of the league table after winning all four of their opening encounters, with Regis Le Bris' dynamic counter-attacking approach proving an instant success.

Despite losing talismanic winger Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town for an initial £15m fee and failing to sign a recognised senior striker, Sunderland's youth-centred recruitment strategy is paying dividends.

Internally, both Romaine Mundle and Eliezer Mayenda have stepped up to fill voids by scoring two goals apiece from four outings to help Sunderland to the summit of the Championship while providing vindication to the divisive philosophy of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman.

As things stand, Sunderland simply cannot be faulted. Amid criticism and contest, they have been persistent, made do with their lot and placed immense trust within their process, affording a new lease of life to last season's recruits as opposed to splashing out on new incomings.

But although Sunderland are in a position which supporters had not even dared to dream of following the conclusion of the summer window, there are still potential bargains to be found within the free agent market.

Sunderland told to consider potential Isaac Success free transfer

In light of the shrewd free business readily available to be made, Football League World's Sunderland fan pundit Eddy Bamber has advised the club to broker a deal for Success, who recently saw his contract with Serie A side Udinese terminated by mutual consent.

The versatile attacker is a familiar face in English football, having made 72 appearances for Watford after completing a then-club record £12.5m switch from Granada in the summer of 2016.

"The free agent I think would be a success for Sunderland is a success - Isaac Success, the Nigerian player who most recently played for Udinese," Eddy explained to Football League World.

"He was released in the summer after he had a really torrid few years there. He had so many injuries that totally ruined his time there, but he is only 28-years-old.

"If he can remain injury free, I think there's a good player there. He's a centre-forward, I don't think he'd be breaking into our starting eleven by any stretch but he'd be a good little option there as back-up.

"We've been screaming out for centre-forwards since we played Fulham in the FA Cup in January 2023 [where then-Sunderland striker Ross Stewart suffered an Achilles injury], so to have one in reserve would be pretty good.

"He'd have to start off in the reserves because I think his match fitness will be miles off but if we're going to get him on a free, I don't see any reason why not.

"He was signed for £12.5m back in the summer of 2016 by Watford, he's not too old that he deviates from Sunderland's model of youth either.

"He's got plenty of time left to play so I'd take a chance on Success, you never know- might do what it says on the tin."

Isaac Success would be a risky signing for Sunderland

As usually tends to be the case with free agent players, there are plenty of advantages in Success' favour and no shortage of caveats the other way, either.

The two-cap Nigeria international had resembled inspired business from Watford when they signed him, but it would be a fair assessment to state that he is yet to fulfill his potential. Indeed, Success has not scored more than two goals in a league campaign following his departure from Granada some eight years ago now, although he has endured tough luck with injuries.

He has spent the majority of his career playing top-flight football too, so convincing him to make the drop down to the Championship would be a tall order, too. You could also imagine that wages may well be a sticking point, of course.

However, his time with Udinese showed that he does have talent - and it would surely translate somewhat to the second-tier if he could regain optimal fitness. Naturally, that is a big if.

That said, though, additional attacking options from the bench would not hurt Le Bris one bit and Sunderland could live to regret being rather short in the way of strength in depth as the season toils on.