Everton have reportedly slapped a pricetag of between £7m and £10m on Ellis Simms - dealing a major blow to Sunderland's chances of landing the striker. Simms spent the first half of last season on loan with the Black Cats, where he scored seven goals in 17 outings before he was recalled by the Merseysiders at the beginning of January to help out in their relegation battle.
Sunderland were hopeful of re-signing him on loan at the end of January if Everton were able to bring in another attacking recruit, but that did not materialise and the 22-year-old remained at Goodison Park for the remainder of the campaign. He made just 11 appearances, only two of which were starts, and scored one goal for Everton after being recalled, and with Sean Dyche's side ultimately dodging the drop they will be looking to strengthen this summer which means Simms is likely to be pushed further down the pecking order.
That could see him allowed to leave, and Sunderland are one of a queue of clubs - along with Coventry City, Swansea City, and Ipswich Town - said to be interested. The Times says Everton are looking for anywhere between £7m and £10m for Simms, and that could price Sunderland out of the market.
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At that price, Coventry would seem to be favourites to sign him given that they are expected to sell their star striker Viktor Gyokeres to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon for £18.5m this summer. Sunderland have already signed one striker during the current window, with teenager Luis Hemir Semedo arriving from Benfica - although, with Ross Stewart set to miss the start of the season as he continues to recover from the Achilles injury that has sidelined him since January, at present Semedo is the Black Cats only available senior striker.
Boss Tony Mowbray has said that he expects 'a couple' more new faces to arrive before the season starts against Ipswich on August 6, and says another striker remains a priority.
