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Wolves are expected to be busy this winter as they aim to avoid relegation to the Championship
New Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is tasked with steadying the ship at Molineux after a disastrous start to the season, which has seen the Old Gold concede an alarming 40 goals from their opening 16 matches - which is the most of any team in the top-flight this season.
Individual errors and a lack of defensive organisation are two clear areas that Pereira will need to resolve quickly if his side are to beat the drop this season, and the January transfer window could prove paramount to the club’s hopes of survival.
Pereira is pushing to turn his side’s fortunes around and is keen to sign Ballard from Sunderland due to his immense leadership skills, defensive awareness and his ability to win headers in both boxes, according to reports from TBR Football.
Ballard joined the Arsenal academy at the age of eight and was handed his first professional contract 10 years later in 2018. The Northern Ireland international impressed at youth level for the Gunners but left North London without ever making a first team appearance after loan spells with the likes of Swindon Town, Blackpool and most notably Millwall where he became a key part of Gary Rowett’s side.
His form at the Den earned him a permanent move to Sunderland where he has established himself as a fan favourite over the last three seasons, with Northern Ireland boss describing him as a ‘natural leader’ that brings a lot of qualities to any team he plays for.
Ballard helped Sunderland achieve an unlikely play-off place finish in his first term before becoming a stalwart in the team that finished 16th last season.
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This year has so far been the 25-year-old’s best to date, and under Regis Le Bris, he is viewed as a vital part of a team vying for a return to the top-flight for the first time since 2017.
Sunderland are understandably reluctant to let the defender leave in January and they are in a strong position with Ballard recently signing a contract extension until 2028.
However, speculation surrounding Ballard’s future has been rampant in recent weeks and TBR football adds that a number of scouts from Premier League sides such as Aston Villa, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Fulham have also been keeping tabs on the Black Cats defender this season.
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