SUNDERLAND will attempt to wrap up a deal for Ellis Simms in the next 24 hours after the Everton striker expressed a preference for a move to the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats’ search for a new forward finally appears to have achieved a breakthrough, with Simms having indicated a desire to join the Black Cats on a season-long loan rather than re-join Blackpool or Hearts, where he has previous successful loan spells.

The 21-year-old joined Everton’s academy at the age of 16, having previously spent time in the youth set-up at Manchester City and Blackburn, and spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at Blackpool, scoring an impressive ten goals in 24 appearances in all competitions.

READ: Sunderland close to completing signing of Alex Bass

He returned to Everton’s academy set-up in the first half of last season, and made his senior debut for the Toffees in a Premier League draw with Chelsea last December, but headed to Scotland for the second half of the campaign.

Playing for Hearts, he netted seven goals in 20 appearances in the Scottish Premier League and Scottish FA Cup, and he was part of Frank Lampard’s squad for Everton’s recent pre-season tour of the United States.

He was an unused substitute as Everton won at Blackpool last weekend, and after the game at Bloomfield Road, he was informed he would not be part of Lampard’s first-team plans for next season.

He has spent the last few days pondering where to play his football next term, and is now understood to have expressed a preference for Sunderland.

He should have a medical in the North-East shortly, and provided there are no unforeseen hitches, Sunderland will attempt to tie up a season-long loan deal in time for him to be involved in the squad for Sunday’s Championship season-opener with Coventry City.

The Black Cats could also have a new goalkeeper in place by the weekend as they are close to completing a deal for Portsmouth shot-stopper Alex Bass.