Sunderland battling with Stoke and Ipswich to sign Everton striker

Andy Morgan
22 June 2023

Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Stoke City are all looking to sign Everton striker Ellis Simms, with all three having approached the Goodison Park club.

Ellis Simms has one year remaining on his contract at Everton and the Merseyside club would be willing to sell him at the right price, particularly as they will be looking to restructure following narrowly surviving in the Premier League last season.

Simms made 11 appearances for Everton in the 2022/23 campaign, scoring once - a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea on March 18.

It is believed Sunderland may have a slight advantage over newly-promoted Ipswich and Stoke as he was recalled from The Stadium of Light in the January transfer window after enjoying a positive spell there during the first half of last season. He made 17 appearances, scoring seven goals.

Simms has also enjoyed loan spells at Blackpool and Hearts, while he has also featured for the England Under-20s in an unofficial friendly match as part of a training camp that was convened last November.

Sunderland have also been recruiting this summer, having signed Benfica striker Luis Hemir Semdo towards the end of last week. The club will be aiming for promotion this time around following their exit to Luton Town in the semi-finals of the Championship play-offs last season.