The latest transfer talk from Sunderland as a Black Cats youngster is linked with a move to Scottish giants Rangers.
Rangers’ reported interest in one of Sunderland’s brightest young talents has been questioned.
Several of the Black Cats young players have impressed in recent months - but the name Finn Geragusian will stand out after the highly-rated forward scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 27 appearances across the club’s Under-21s and Under-18s sides this season. His progress has received a double reward in recent weeks after he was named as a substitute for the FA Cup fifth round defeat against Port Vale and Geragusian was handed a maiden call-up to the senior Armenia squad after making several appearances at youth levels.
The 18-year-old earned his first cap earlier this week when he came off the bench to replace Grant-Leon Ramos for the final half-hour of a 2-1 friendly defeat against Belarus and national team manager Yegishe Melikyan explained the call had been made due to his dissatisfaction over his forward options and to give the youngster a ‘push in his development’.
Speaking ahead of the friendly, Melikyan said: “I called Finn up to see what he is capable of in senior football and to evaluate his future in the national team. He has good qualities and is the type of striker I need. But he is still very young, has not played at senior level and is not ready for the national team yet. We are calling him up to help with that transition and give him a push in his development. At the moment we have a huge problem in the attacking line, so I am looking at every possible option. I’m not very satisfied with the strikers we currently have.”
Despite being viewed as a first-team prospect by Sunderland, there have been some speculation suggesting Nottingham Forest and Rangers are planning a summer move for Geragusian - but former Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness believes the latter should be wary of throwing the youngster into a ‘Glasgow pressure cooker’.
Best platform
Finn Geragusian.placeholder image
Finn Geragusian. | Photo by Ben Cuthbertson.
Wyness said on the Inside Track Podcast: “My first question is why are Sunderland letting him go? If the reason is because they believe that he can go on to a platform like Rangers and showcase himself, then he would get a move down to the Premier League, I’m pretty sure pretty quickly. For Rangers, they’ve got to be careful because taking an 18-year-old into the Glasgow pressure cooker isn’t always easy either, and that may not be the best platform.
“Mikey Moore seems to be an example where it took him a little while to settle down, but he’s done it now, and he understands it and has enjoyed it. If he is as good as they think he is, and he stays injury free, then that’s exactly the type of talent that can end up becoming a big money spinner for the club. It can be difficult for some people, so I’d want to do some research into the personality and the character of the player.”
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