Carlton Palmer has told Football League World that Wimbledon’s Ali Al-Hamadi “fits the bill” for Sunderland, with the Black Cats and Leeds United both interested in the Iraqi midfielder ahead of the January transfer window.
Al-Hamadi, 21, has piqued the interest of League Two club Wimbledon since joining in January. He scored 10 goals in 19 games in the second half of last season. He has appeared in 17 games this season.
In that time, he has contributed to 10 more goals, scoring five and assisting on five. Al-Hamadi’s shape is now attracting attention. Edmund Brack, a South London Press journalist, claims that Leeds was interested in him.
The Mirror’s Darren Witcoop then reported that Stoke, Cardiff, Bristol City, and Hull City were all interested in signing him for a fee of £1 million or more. Sunderland are interested, according to SI. Palmer believes he is the right man for Tony Mowbray’s team.
“Sunderland are struggling to find strikers.” They signed four strikers in the summer and have yet to score a goal. Al-Hamadi has continued to impress this season despite not scoring any goals.
“Whether he will be the solution to Sunderland’s striker problems remains to be seen, but he fits the criteria Sunderland are looking for; signing young players, with ability, and he undoubtedly fits the bill.”
Carlton Palmer: Leeds target Ali Al-Hamadi fits bill for Sunderland
Al-Hamadi is clearly a talent with enormous potential, and as Palmer points out, Sunderland’s success has been built on signing young players, particularly in attack. Raw talent that has developed in red and white.
Where is the best place for him? A Championship club, but a second-tier club that will allow him to stay first choice or at the very least provide a pathway into one of the clubs mentioned. Leeds cannot currently offer him that.
Sunderland, too, given how busy they were in the summer with strikers. Hull, Cardiff, or even Stoke City would be able to provide Al-Hamadi with enough game time to turn his potential into proven quality.
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