Sunderland in battle for Eisa after making £1million+ bid

Sunderland are to battle Peterborough United and Portsmouth for Cheltenham Town striker Mo Eisa.

The Black Cats have made a bid of at least £1million for the in-demand striker, who is also wanted by Championship clubs.

Sunderland are in the market for at least two strikers before the transfer window closes, with the Black Cats also lodging bids for Bradford City striker Charlie Wyke.

Both Posh and Pompey have had bids rejected for Eisa in the past week.

Sources close to Cheltenham have confirmed to us that they value their prize asset at the £1.5million mark.

It is understood Sunderland’s bid is at least £1million but it is not yet clear whether that is all up front or whether it is enough to tempt Cheltenham, who are under no pressure to sell this summer.

The Sudan-born striker is contracted to Cheltenham until 2020.

Peterborough’s most recent offer was worth £1million. That included clauses over a period of time, while Pompey have now tabled three separate bids but none of those were close to Cheltenham’s valuation.

The striker joined the club from Greenwich Borough last summer and scored 25 times in League Two. He won the club’s supporters’ and players’ player of the year awards.

Speaking at the weekend, Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson said: “The thing with Mo at the moment is that everybody is interested, but they are not offering his worth.

“As far as the club is concerned, as long as Mo and his representative understand, he will get there, but he is our crown jewel at the moment.

“He is still enjoying his game and his finishing is unbelievable.

“I know the going rate for proper goalscoring strikers. We have to keep calm and if he doesn’t go in this window then we’ll keep him, but he’s worth what we’d have to take for him.

“He’ll be worth double that when he cracks it in the Championship.”

West Brom have completed the signing of defender Kyle Bartley from Swansea.

The 27-year-old joins on a three-year deal for around £4million to become the Baggies’ second signing of the summer.

He told the club’s website: “After speaking with Darren (Moore, boss) I knew this was the place I wanted to be.

“He let me know his ideas for the season and the next few years, his ambitions for the club and he told me about the fan base and the facilities. I’m hoping to be involved quickly.”

Bartley made just 21 league appearances for the Swans in six years after joining from Arsenal. He spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Leeds, playing 50 times and scoring six goals.

Bartley joins goalkeeper Sam Johnstone at Albion.