Alious“No Offence, But Aim Higher” – Sunderland Warned Over Move for 12-Goal Poku Amid Sheffield United and Birmingham City Chase
Sunderland have been cautioned against settling for lower-league talent as they eye a move for Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku—despite the 23-year-old attracting widespread interest from Championship clubs, including Sheffield United and Birmingham City.
According to *GiveMeSport, Sunderland are among several sides monitoring Poku, whose contract expires in June. The Ghanaian winger registered 12 goals and 8 assists from just 27 appearances last season in League One. However, Peterborough’s underwhelming 18th-place finish was largely due to Poku’s extended absence through injury—his impact on the team was significant when fit.
**Transfer Race Heats Up, But Sunderland Fans Sound the Alarm**
As Premier League newcomers, Sunderland’s transfer strategy is under intense scrutiny. While Poku’s stats and availability make him an intriguing prospect, fan pundit Jack Austwicke has urged the club to aim higher.
“I think Poku would be a good signing,” Austwicke told *Football League World*. “But he can’t be a starter—he’s the kind of player you’d want if we were still in the Championship.”
Austwicke pointed to the repeated failures of recently promoted sides who relied on signings from lower divisions. “Look at the last six teams that went up—most came straight back down. That’s the risk of shopping too much in the Championship or League One,” he added. “No offence, but Sunderland need to think bigger than Poku.”
Poku: Smart Buy or Premier League Gamble?
While there’s no denying Poku’s potential, the transition from League One to the Premier League is notoriously difficult. For a player with no top-flight experience, the jump is massive, and expecting immediate impact would be unrealistic. Still, from a business perspective, Sunderland could see value in signing him on a free transfer—he could either be nurtured into a top performer or sold later for profit.
In the event Sunderland had failed to win promotion, Poku would’ve been a perfect fit—an ambitious signing for another Championship promotion push. But now that they’re in the Premier League, expectations are different.
Sunderland are facing one of the toughest Premier League seasons yet—not only up against the usual top-tier giants but also competing with fellow promoted sides Leeds and Burnley, both boasting solid squads and significant financial muscle. With that in mind, settling for potential rather than proven quality could prove costly.
Poku may yet become a Premier League player, but the consensus among fans is clear: Sunderland must think bigger if they want to stay in the top flight.
Alious
