Sunderland may be watching Peterborough United situation closely, player top of League One charts: View | OneFootball

Sunderland may try again for previous target Kwame Poku, who is currently leading the League One scoring charts with Peterborough United

Sunderland may decide to rekindle their interest in Peterborough United's Kwame Poku, who has blown League One away so far amid an uncertain future at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The Black Cats will certainly represent an attractive proposition at the minute. Following the inspired appointment of French boss Regis Le Bris back in the summer, Sunderland have swept the Championship aside with a free-flowing brand of counter-attacking football, which is executed by a squad packed with burgeoning young talent.

Sunderland, who had the youngest average squad age across the second-tier in each of the previous two seasons, employ a renowned recruitment model encompassing the investment in young, high-potential players at a low cost from less-pursued markets, with the intention of developing them accordingly and collecting significant profit down the line.

It is a strategy which has yielded mixed results across the board, although Sunderland's unwavering patience and persistence with youth has paid dividends during the early stages of the new season. Le Bris' young and exhilarating side find themselves top of the Championship after nine games, tied on points with second-place Sheffield United.

You would be hard-pressed to find too many areas needing improvement in the Frenchman's well-assembled squad, but Sunderland appear likely to go again in the January transfer window and that could just prompt a revival in their pursuit of Kwame Poku.

Sunderland's transfer interest in Peterborough United's Kwame Poku

Poku has been among the most courted talents throughout League One for quite some time, having emerged as the latest star to come off the Posh conveyor belt.

According to a previous report from TEAMtalk, the 23-year-old winger was being eyed by a number of Championship clubs last November, including Sunderland. The report claimed that Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, Ipswich Town, Millwall and Bristol City were all monitoring Poku, who had enjoyed a stunning start to the 2023/24 season in League One.

Poku ended up staying put at Peterborough, finishing last season with 11 goals and seven assists from league action as his side fell short in the play-offs. However, there is growing uncertainty surrounding his future with Posh.

The former Colchester United midfielder now has less than twelve months to run on his contract at the club and, at present, there is little indication of renewal. In May, it was reported by the Peterborugh Telegraph that an "improved contract" had been offered to Poku, although he is yet to accept the proposal and many clubs throughout the Championship will surely be following developments.

Sunderland are likely to resume their interest, with Le Bris having reportedly told the club's top-brass that he wants significant financial backing in January if they are still in the promotion reckoning.

Kwame Poku's 24/25 League One form with Peterborough United

The scintillating form exhibited by Poku will doubtless add to the uncertainty involving his immediate future. It is hard to imagine that his early-season performances have not captured the attention of a range of suitors higher up the Football League pyramid, and Posh may have a real fight on their hands to keep hold of him beyond January.

Indeed, they could well be forced into sanctioning a sale following the turn of the year, should he refuse to put pen to paper on fresh terms.

Peterborough have endured an inconsistent start to life in the new third-tier season, which makes Poku's form all the more impressive. Poku, who is capable of playing either on the right-hand side or as an attacking midfielder, has displayed outstanding form in League One so far, scoring six goals and laying on a further two assists from 11 appearances.

No player has outscored his tally of six strikes thus far. Meanwhile, Poku's quick and tricky feet, creativity and flair all make him an extremely desirable property on the market, and those attributes should really translate well to a higher level.

Sunderland should try again for Peterborough United's Kwame Poku

Put simply, Poku is classes above League One and that was probably evident last year, too. We can only expect a probable bidding war to take place in January, which Sunderland should be right at the forefront of.

Their trust and faith in young players instantly offers a sense of assurance, while the way in which they develop what's at their disposal, as evidenced by the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Jack Clarke, brings an extra pull factor.

Players will know they can go to the Stadium of Light and embrace a huge upwards trajectory, and if Poku realises that and Sunderland decide to try again, Peterborough could be fighting a losing battle.

Patrick Roberts has filled in on the right flank this term and is doing a marvelous job, but the top dogs in the Championship invariably have real strength in depth and Sunderland would benefit from that heading into the second-half of the season.

Poku could already make an instant impact at Championship level, if handed the opportunity, but at 23, he represents a wholly exciting long-term option which the Black Cats should be all over.