SUNDERLAND have missed out on leading target Lyle Taylor after the striker instead opted to join Charlton Athletic.

Sunderland officials met Taylor and his representatives last week after it became clear he was going to leave his previous employers, AFC Wimbledon, as a free agent.

The Black Cats tabled an attractive offer, but the 28-year-old spoke to a number of other clubs including Charlton.

The Addicks are understood to have offered less money than Sunderland, but Taylor has opted to move the Valley.

He has signed a two-year contract with Charlton, leaving Sunderland to look elsewhere as they attempt to add to their attacking ranks.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer said: “He’s my first signing as a manager and what a signing it is. He was our main target in the summer.

“He obviously had interest from other clubs. There was a big club in our division that made him a much better offer and I think it just shows the lad’s attitude to come to us.

“His decision to come was based on football, simple as that, and I think that shows where we are as a club and the stature we’ve got. He’s a top striker in this division.”