Alex Neil's Stoke City join Sunderland in pursuit of PL man with club ready to sell

Sunderland and Championship rivals Ipswich Town and Stoke City have all made approaches for Ellis Simms, with Everton now ready to sell the 22-year-old, reports Football Insider.

Simms' name has been in headlines all month it seems. Sunderland are widely reported to be keen on re-signing the striker who scored seven in 16 during a brief spell on loan at the start of last season, whilst Ipswich Town are reported to have tabled a £3.5million for the player.

But that report may be wide of the mark with Football Insider now claiming that Championship trio Sunderland, Ipswich, and Stoke City have all made approaches to sign Simms, who is now in the final year of his Goodison Park contract.

Their report adds that Everton will sell Simms 'for the right price', though it's not known what the Toffees' asking price currently stands at.

Strong competition...

Ipswich Town and Stoke City will both prove attractive destinations for Simms, with both clubs also looking ready to spend some money during this summer's transfer window.

But Sunderland are spending money and are equally, if not more attractive destinations that Ipswich and Stoke given the current trajectory of the club, and also the fact that Simms prevailed on loan at the Stadium of Light last time round.

Everton though will simply want the best deal for the player. With several teams now interested as well, the price will only rise and so Sunderland may need to act fast if they want to bring Simms back to the club.

It would certainly be a strong signing if they did though, with Simms adding goals and physicality to a Sunderland side that will need it next time round.

Strong competition...

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