Sunderland, Newcastle United, and Rangers are all plotting moves for teenage Cardiff City prodigy Jack Sykes, according to reports.
The 16-year-old has established himself as a shining light of the Bluebirds’ academy setup in recent times, and enjoyed a prolific campaign last time out, bagging 29 goals in all competitions.
Indeed, those performances have been enough to alert a number of high profile suitors, with Sunderland and Newcastle touted as admirers by EFL Analysis, alongside Brighton and Hove Albion and Scottish giants Rangers.
It is understood that several Championship sides are also keen on the starlet, with a recent report from Wales Online suggesting that Cardiff are eager to retain his services.
What is the latest Sunderland transfer news?
Elsewhere, the Black Cats look to be closing in on a deal for Sassuolo winger Armand Lauriente.
The Echo understands that the club are making positive moves towards reaching an agreement for the 26-year-old.
Reports in France on Friday morning indicated that the two clubs were close to an agreement and this is understood to be accurate. Talks on ongoing and a deal has not yet been finalised but both parties are increasingly confident that it will be in the coming days.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland will pay a fee of just over £17 million to sign the forward. The player is keen on the move and so it is now expected to progress quickly.
What Kristjaan Speakman said about Sunderland’s transfer planning
Speaking last week to Sky Sports, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said the club still wanted to make several additions to their squad. “We’re not naive to the challenge,” he said.
“I think we have to be really clear, our mindset is that Sunderland needs to be back where it’s always been. It’s always been, on aggregate, around ninth place in the Premier League. It’s top tier and that’s the challenge, to reestablish the club back there and we’re on a journey to doing that.
“The first part is being able to stay in the league. I’m really proud of some of the boys who have been with us since the start, since I got here and Kyril [Louis-Dreyfus] purchased the club. We’ve had loads of people who have joined on the way and chosen to come to us rather than going elsewhere. We’ve obviously got some more recent examples in the last few days of that happening.
“Players want to play with good players. They want the challenge. They want a competitive squad and they want good people in the squad. Last season, I think everybody could see from the outside that we have a really united group and really passionate group about playing for Sunderland, which is what supporters want to see.”
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