Sunderland chase Tom Eaves as Josh Maja’s replacement but he is more similar to Charlie Wyke

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With time running out in the January transfer window, Sunderland have identified Tom Eaves as a potential replacement for Josh Maja, according to Sky Sports News.

Sunderland lost their top scorer when 16-goal Maja completed a permanent move to Bordeaux.

Left with just Charlie Wyke up front, Jack Ross has been forced to frantically try to bring in a new striker before the end of the transfer window.

Eaves has scored 15 goals in 33 games this season so his hit rate is similar to Maja’s. But his style of play is more akin to Wyke’s and this could limit Sunderland’s options up front.

The 27-year-old stands at 6ft 5in tall and is an aerial powerhouse with defenders often struggling to cope with his physical presence.

Wyke is not quite as tall but he still fits that target man mould by providing Sunderland with a central figure to work around.

Neither Wyke nor Evans can play the Maja role at Sunderland, finding pockets of space, running the channels and troubling defenders with pace.

Eaves might prove to be a striker who can score goals for the Black Cats and take advantage of good service from the attacking midfielders.

But Ross also needs a different style of striker; someone who can operate in a similar fashion to Maja.