By Dylan Childs

26th Jan, 2021 | 10:27am

Exclusive: Salford, MK Dons & Shrewsbury Town race to sign Sunderland big name

Sunderland striker Will Grigg is a target for Salford, MK Dons and Shrewsbury ahead of next week’s transfer deadline, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The 29-year-old is attracting interest from a number of EFL sides despite his struggles for the Black Cats in recent seasons.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that the the three clubs are all hoping to take advantage of the forward’s potential availability.

Grigg has made 12 appearances for the Black Cats this season but has failed to score.

The centre-forward has endured a torrid time on Wearside since his £3million arrival from Wigan Athletic in January 2019.

His 61 appearances across all competitions have yielded just eight goals and three assists.

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson publicly backed the struggling striker in December and suggested he could return him to his best form.

However, since then Grigg has fallen back out of favour at the Stadium of Light and was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win over Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Charlie Wyke has firmly established himself as Lee Johnson’s first-choice striker, the 28-year-old has netted 13 times in 25 appearances this term.

Club legend Kevin Phillips told Football Insider that he has been bitterly disappointed by Grigg: “He has not done it at all since he has been at the club.

“I just think sometimes a club does not suit a player and I fear this is the case with Will Grigg.”

The 13-times Northern Ireland international has 18 months left on his contract at the Stadium of Light.

Grigg is one of the top earners at the club and his wages could be a sticking point in a potential exit.

In other news, Kevin Phillips has delivered his verdict on a huge Sunderland problem which will cost £300,000 to fix.