Blackpool manager Simon Grayson is considering an attempt to sign Sunderland striker Will Grigg on loan during the January transfer window, a report from a print edition of The Sun on Sunday (15/12, p61) has claimed.

Grigg joined Sunderland from Championship side Wigan Athletic last January for a reported £4million, but has so far struggled to settle in the North East, scoring just eight goals in 48 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats.

Despite that, it appears there is still interest in Grigg ahead of the return of the transfer window next month, with Blackpool apparently keen on a temporary move for the 28-year-old.

It is thought that any move made by Blackpool for Grigg will be dependent on the two sides being able to come to an agreement about splitting the cost of the striker's wages.

Former Sunderland boss Grayson returned to the Stadium of Light with his Blackpool side on Saturday afternoon, with the two sides playing out a 1-1 draw, as Charlie Wyke cancelled out Matty Virtue's stunning opener to earn a point for Phil Parkinson's side, before being replaced by Grigg with 12 minutes of the game remaining.

That result has left Blackpool fifth in the League One standings, six points ahead of 12th placed Sunderland.

Having signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Sunderland upon moving to the Stadium of Light, Grigg's contract with the club is not set to expire until the summer of 2022.

The Verdict

This is an interesting one.

Given Grigg's record since his move to Sunderland just under 12 months ago, you wouldn't really have thought that he would be in particularly high demand heading into the January transfer window.

Despite that, his previous exploits at this level have proven that he does have the ability to fire on all cylinders in this division, and it may be that that is tempting Blackpool to take a look here, which does make you wonder if they are bracing themselves for departures of their own next month.