The highly rated teenager is entering the final year of his Manchester City deal and is said to be open to a move.
Manchester City prospect Charlie Gray is allegedly interested in joining Sunderland this summer, but only if the newly promoted club can provide a clear path to regular first-team football.
According to a new report from The Sun, the 19-year-old midfielder has surfaced as a target for Sunderland since their return to the Premier League last week. Gray is believed to be considering his next steps as he attempts to break into senior football, with only a year remaining on his contract at the Etihad.
Championship clubs have also expressed interest and may be able to provide more quick playing time. However, Sunderland are seen to be in pole position if they can detail a strategy for his development. Manchester City are hesitant to lose the teenager permanently, but might be persuaded if the transaction includes a reasonable sum and a significant sell-on clause – a framework Sunderland has used in recent transfer deals.
Gray, a technically gifted center midfielder, has advanced through City’s prestigious system and has impressed this season for their Under-21 team in Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League. Although he has yet to play for Pep Guardiola at the senior level, he was awarded City’s EDS Players’ Player of the Year for 2023-24. Gray has eight goals and one assist in 29 games across all competitions this season. He is at ease playing at the base of the midfield, but he can also go forward, earning acclaim for his vision, poise, and passing ability.
Joe Bray, a Manchester Evening News columnist, has identified Gray as “one to watch” next season, comparing his style to that of Fernandinho’s size and Bernardo Silva’s tenacity. Meanwhile, City’s official website characterizes him as “a calming presence in the centre of midfield with an excellent range of passing.”
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