Jermaine Defoe's imminent move to Bournemouth and Victor Anichebe's contract expiry leaves Sunderland without a senior striker going into the Championship campaign.

The only central forward on the books is 17-year-old Joel Asoro, who has made one appearance for the first team. 

Fabio Borini can and has played through the middle for Sunderland, but looks almost certain to depart the Stadium of Light this summer, with Celtic reportedly closing in.

Everton's retained list did not include poacher Arouna Kone and the Ivory Coast international will leave the club at the end of his current deal next month.

Embroiled in frantic search for a new manager before the start of pre-season, Sunderland must also address the current issues regarding player acquisition and departures.

Arouna Kone would suit Sunderland's needs quite nicely in the sense that he would be available for nothing and at least ease some of the worries surrounding the playing personnel.

Kone's release comes as no surprise after he made just five appearances for The Toffees last season, and has struggled, limited to cameos from the bench and scoring just six goals in four seasons at Goodison Park.

But his five Premier League goals in the 2015/16 season and impressive goal tallies at Wigan and abroad shows he's no slouch in front of goal and the 33-year-old could well have a decent season or two still in him.

Sunderland are taking their time appointing a new manager, which could suggest that they may not be able to grant the funds for any possible boss to spend , backed up by poor financial readings in recent years.

The club should be proactive and bring in Kone, so they at least have a basis to build upon as their squad is set to wither as the close season goes on.

Sunderland fans - would you like to snap up Arouna Kone? Let us know below...