Sunderland enquired about the availability of Robin van Persie shortly before his move to Turkish side Fenerbahce. WhatCulture SAFC understands that, prior to his Manchester United departure, the Dutch star attracted attention from a number of Premier League clubs - with sources in Manchester indicating that the Black Cats were firmly in the mix. It's no shock that the tenth highest goalscorer in Premier League history would generate such interest, but the fact that Sunderland - perennial relegation strugglers for the past few seasons - would even think of making a bid for van Persie shows surprising ambition and gall. One must assume that the club felt the chance to work under fellow countryman Dick Advocaat would have been a major selling point for the striker, who fans would have surely welcomed to the Stadium of Light with rapturous enthusiasm. Such a move never materialised, of course, as the 31 year old joined Fenerbahce for an undisclosed fee earlier this week. Van Persie may well have called time on his Premier League career with this recent transfer, leaving him with 144 goals in 280 appearances for Arsenal and United. However, reports of Sunderland's interest are encouraging signs for those on Wearside, demonstrating a new ambition for a club so often focused on mere survival.