Sunderland Director of Football Kristjaan Speakman must make the correct call amid one developing transfer saga.
The Black Cats are getting ready for what will certainly be a season-defining January transfer window, where they will be looking to hold onto their top prospects.
The trajectory of the 2024/25 Championship campaign will be decided by the future of key players, including Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, who have several Premier League sides and Champions League teams monitoring their progress.
Sunderland shot-stopper Anthony Patterson is also drumming up interest, with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly keeping tabs on the Black Cats star.
Another player that Premier League clubs are interested in attaining the services of is centre-back Dan Ballard, and it has opened up a potential opportunity that Kristjaan Speakman must approach with serious caution.
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Sunderland should not entertain Dan Ballard interest from Newcastle United
Dan Ballard made the difference at the weekend with a brilliantly-taken header off the back of Eliezer Mayenda’s floated ball into the 18-yard box, as well as some impeccable defending alongside his centre-back partner Chris Mepham.
Because of his recent showings, it is no surprise to see Premier League sides interested in him, including Brighton.
However, another side that are reportedly interested in the centre-back is Newcastle United, and a deal sanctioned for Ballard to go to Tyneside certainly wouldn’t end well for the fans.
Sunderland’s rivals have previously been interested in Rigg, who they looked to sign prior to him confirming his professional contract at the Stadium of Light.
Optimism around the squad should be enough to ensure that key players stay for rest of season
One player that Sunderland won’t have to worry about, unless a monumental fee comes their way for him, is Rigg, who has clearly shown his desire to stay in Wearside beyond the January transfer window.
Rigg’s enthusiasm to stay at the club ultimately comes down to the current feel-good factor at the club, and if Le Bris can persuade the 17-year-old to stay at the club, there is no doubt that it can be replicated with the rest of the in-demand Sunderland stars.
If Sunderland had this much quality this time last year, there would have been much more pessimism going into the January window, with the Black Cats being in a much worse position off the pitch. This year, the progress off the pitch of the club is tangible, and there is no doubt that that will help persuade players to commit to Wearside.