The latest transfer talk from Sunderland as the Black Cats start to plan for the summer transfer window.
Sunderland are one of seven clubs said to be considering a move for a two-time Premier League winner during the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats have already turned their focus towards their planning for their summer recruitment after they comfortably secured their Premier League status with recent wins against Leeds United and arch rivals Newcastle United. Several names have already been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light in recent weeks and Manchester City star Rico Lewis is the latest name to add to an ever-growing list.
The 21-year-old worked his way through the City youth set-up and made his senior debut as a substitute in a Premier League game against Bournemouth in August 2022. Lewis had to wait until three months later to make his first start for his boyhood club and he marked the occasion with a goal in a Champions League win against Sevilla. After progressing into the senior England squad under Gareth Southgate, Lewis’ impressive development was rewarded when he put pen-to-paper on a new contract last summer. After signing the deal, the utility player immediately set his sights on establishing himself as a key figure within the City side.
Speaking ahead of the current season, the academy product said: “For me, I’ve never, ever seen myself at a different club. I’ve always wanted to play for City. It’s my dream club, and like you see today, when I’m playing with the kind of players that I’m playing with, it brings out the best in me, so I’m so happy.
“Everyone wants assurance and security, but at the end of the day, it’s on me. It’s on me to perform. It’s on me to take the chances. If I take my own chances, I do it. If I don’t, then I have to work and get better. Last season I played more than the season before, this season I want to play more than last season, so it’s always the same goal, becoming an established player.”
Strong admirers
Rico Lewis and Pep Guardiolaplaceholder image
Rico Lewis and Pep Guardiola | AFP via Getty Images
However, the 13-times capped England international has struggled for regular game-time during the campaign with just 11 of his 21 appearances coming as part of Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven and he has remained as an unused substitute on 21 occasions. That has led to speculation Lewis could leave the Etihad Stadium in search of regular first-team football and is now said to be ‘weighing up a potential move’ after seven Premier League clubs made their interest known.
Intriguingly, TeamTalk have named Sunderland and Newcastle as two leading candidates and the Wear-Tyne derby rivals are described as keeping a ‘close eye on the situation’ - but league rivals Everton, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion are also referred to a ‘among a strong list of admirers’ of Lewis. The report also states City remain ‘strong admirers’ of their academy graduate - but would not stand in his way if he wants to push for an exit in search of regular first-team football.
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