Sunderland transfer talk involving QPR looks seriously smart: View | OneFootball

With the end of the Championship season just around the corner, clubs up and down the division have begun looking for suitable summer signings, and Sunderland have identified one in particular.

The Black Cats are said to be keen on a move for QPR's Chris Willock, with the winger set to leave Loftus Road as a free agent this summer, and if they were able to get a move over the line, it could well be a very smart acquisition.

Sunderland are without a manager at the moment, but the chance to sign an experienced Championship player for free like Willock doesn't come around too often, and the club may have to act quickly to sign him even if it means doing so without any new manager giving any deal the green light.

The 26-year-old is by no means old, but he has plenty of experience at this level and Sunderland have been crying out for more of that all season, so Willock looks a great signing on paper.

Chris Willock would be a very smart signing for Sunderland

Sunderland's failure to kick on from last season can be attributed to one main reason - their recruitment strategy.

The Black Cats sign young, promising players and develop them in the hope of being able to sell them on for significantly more money in the years to come. Whilst that's an admirable way of doing things, the club need to find the balance between youth and experience, and it's something they must address this summer.

Being linked with Willock would suggest it's something they have addressed, and the QPR man is the perfect profile of player they should be targeting.

The 26-year-old has spent the last four seasons at Loftus Road and has been one of the club's better players through some difficult times.

After coming through the ranks at Arsenal, Willock spent time with Portuguese giants Benfica, before joining the Hoops in 2020.

In total, Willock has made 143 appearances for QPR, scoring 20 goals and registering 22 assists, showing he'd be a very shrewd signing for Sunderland.

He's made 38 appearances for the Hoops this season, scoring four goals and registering four assists - his latest assist coming in a recent 4-0 win over Leeds United as the R's secure their Championship status.

He also won the club's Player of the Year award for the 2021/22 season, showing he'd be a real coup for Sunderland if they were able to secure his signing.

Willock would be a regular starter if he joined the Black Cats, and it's a deal they must try and make happen this summer.

Links with Chris Willock suggest a change in Sunderland's recruitment policy

Sunderland's supporters will be hoping that being linked with Willock is just the start of more experienced players being targetted by the club this summer and that the hierarchy have learned their lessons from this season.

By all means, Sunderland should continue to buy and develop young talent, but they need to blend it with experience, something that they haven't done previously.

While experienced players may not have as much sell-on value, these players will improve the side and give them a better chance of winning promotion and could benefit the club's younger players as they're able to help them improve their game and pass on knowledge.

It's set to be a very important summer for Sunderland, and the more experience that they're able to sign, the better.

Being linked withWillock is a good start, and Sunderland supporters will be hoping more players of a similar ilk will continue to be linked with the club this summer.