Sunderland are leading the race to sign Gillingham striker Mikael Mandron, according to reports from Football Insider.

The forward came through the ranks at the Stadium of Light, spending time away from the club on loan at Hartlepool, Fleetwood and Shrewsbury before joining Eastleigh on a permanent deal in 2016.

Mandron, who has played for Wigan and Colchester since dropping down to the National League with the Spitfires, now plys his trade in League One with Gillingham.

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The 25-year-old has scored six goals in all competitions this season with five of those goals coming in 23 League One appearances, helping Steve Evans' side compete in the top-half of the table.

But Mandron's future at Priestfield is looking uncertain; the Frenchman's contract expires at the end of June, and will become a free agent as things stand.

And, according to reports from Football Insider, Sunderland are leading the race to re-sign their former striker, who would be available to sign on a free transfer.

Sunderland sit just outside of the League One play-offs on goal difference, but with the end of the League One campaign currently in limbo, another season in the third tier looks likely.

The Verdict

I don't think this would be a good signing for Sunderland in all honesty.

It may be a somewhat risk-free signing as it would be on a free transfer, but Mandron has been nowhere near prolific enough in League One for the Gills.

Sunderland have lacked a prolific goalscorer since Josh Maja left for Bordeaux, and despite Charlie Wyke, Kyle Lafferty and Will Grigg's struggles, I don't think Mandron is much of an upgrade.