Sunderland find themselves in a very familiar place at Christmas this season – the relegation zone.

After going on a woeful run without a win earlier this year things have slightly picked up but they are still firmly in peril as we approach the turn in this campaign.

Our landlord here in the Transfer Tavern feels, however, that if the Black Cats can bring in a new striker in January they will be just fine come May.

There’s hope based on last season, too.

This time last year it looked as though they were gone by the end of December, but things turned around thereafter with Jermain Defoe leading the charge to safety.

They can’t keep relying on just the Englishman to get them the goals, though, as good as he has been, and so, with that in mind, our landlord feels that these four strikers could help Moyes’ boys avoid relegation once again this year…

Leonardo Ulloa

This would seem a no-brainer for struggling Sunderland, a proven Premier League goalscorer who was vital as Leicester City went on to win the title last year.

With the arrival of Ahmed Musa and Islam Slimani, though, he has found his chances limited this season.

When he has played he’s often proven to be instrumental in his side’s victories and with his experience the club won’t have to wait for him to adapt.

Sam Larsson

At the other end of the experience spectrum to Ulloa, we have the 23-year-old, Swedish, left sided forward currently tearing it up with Heerenveen in Holland.

It could be a risk worth taking for the Black Cats, similar to the one they took bringing in the likes of Jan Kirchhoff and Lamine Kone last season who both proved absolutely vital in their battle against the drop last year. Seven goals and five assists this season suggests he’s ready for a crack at the big time.

Scott Hogan

The Brentford striker has been in some form in the Championship and could easily make that next step up into the Premier League.

With his and Defoe’s goal prowess, they could form quite the partnership and help Sunderland to avoid relegation yet again.

He’d be a cheap alternative with funds not in abundance at Sunderland and could be the kind of signing on which Moyes begins to build something at the club.

Leigh Griffiths

With the arrival of Moussa Dembele at Celtic, the Scottish international hasn’t been playing every game and could fancy a move.

We have seen him in England previously with Wolves where he was loaned out a fair bit before he wound up at Celtic.

The 26-year-old knows where the net is and at the moment that’s what Sunderland need more than anything – a perfect match for both club and player!

Agree, Celtic fans? Let us know below!