MK Dons were pushing to sign Sunderland striker in the week ahead of the deadline for domestic transfers, Gillingham boss Steve Clarke has revealed. 

EFL teams had until 5pm on Friday to conclude their transfer business with other English clubs and it appears the League One side were keen to sign the Black Cats forward late on.

MK Dons beat Gillingham 2-0 at Stadium MK on Saturday and speaking after the game, Clarke told Kent Online that the hosts had been in for Grigg ahead of the deadline.

He said: "It is a tough league, we are trying to compete against some huge clubs with big money and MK Dons are one of them.

"MK signed Cameron Jerome and they have been trying to sign Will Grigg (from Sunderland) all week. We are in a different market and we have to go in and some days we will get a lesson like that.”

Grigg joined Sunderland in January 2019 but has been far from convincing for the North East club and now faces more competition for places than ever, with both Charlie Wyke and Danny Graham also in the squad.

The Northern Irishman started the first League One game of the season but has featured just once in the competition since with Wyke and Graham seemingly above him in the pecking order.

Phil Parkinson has suggested that he was happy with the depth of his squad, however, which is likely why MK Dons' attempts to sign the 29-year-old were unsuccessful.

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The Verdict

It's somewhat unusual that Clarke is the source of this update but it seems as though the Black Cats rebuffed some late attempts to sign Grigg.

The 29-year-old's time at Sunderland has been disappointing so far but it seems they still feel he is a useful part of the squad as MK Don were ultimately unsuccessful.

With Wyke and Graham both in the squad, it seems as though Grigg is going to have to make the most of the opportunities given to him.