It appears that the long awaited strengthening of the striker ranks at Sunderland is finally underway. It is being reported by the local press that Louis Saha is on the verge of joining the club on a free transfer.

Sunderland Echo reporter Graeme Anderson tweeted a teaser that he'd seen Martin O'Neill in talks with a potential signing before later confirming that the player was former Manchester United and Everton man Saha.

Obviously it is not the big money signing we have all craved, but Saha would be a very solid start to adding the required quality and experience to the squad.

At the age of 34, he is no spring chicken, but the question marks over Saha have always been over his fitness rather than his ability. For all his troubles with injury, he has still amassed 278 Premier League appearances, of which 188 were starts, so his goals return of 85 is certainly a decent record.

Crucially, Graeme Anderson also made it clear that this signing would not impact the pursuit of other targets, which means people can relax and discard the possibility of it being a 'panic signing' or 'settling' in any way. It seems that Saha would be coming in as experienced and proven cover.

Not glamorous or especially exciting, but not every signing has to be. Sometimes, pragmatism must reign over prestige, and this would appear to be one such occasion.

As ever, we will watch the story develop with interest.