Fabrizio Romano is the king of transfer stories. And he’s just confirmed an emerging Sunderland report.
Sunderland almost find themselves in between a rock and a hard place ahead of January, with the club having some widespread interest in their players, but also being in the middle of a promotion push from the Championship.
The Sunderland owners and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman really need to strike a balance between their strategy, which favours buying cheap and selling high, and allowing Regis Le Bris his best players to continue this push for the Premier League.
There’s reported interest in Jobe Bellingham from Real Madrid and other top European clubs, whilst others like Dan Ballard has been linked with Brighton and even Newcastle United ahead of the New Year.
Still expect some new signings at the Stadium of Light in January, though. The Black Cats have a number of names on their transfer radar including Aston Villa’s Louie Barry, and now Chelsea gem Harvey Vale.
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Fabrizio Romano shares Harvey Vale update as Nizaar Kinsella weighs in
On Friday evening, it was revealed that Sunderland are keeping tabs on Vale ahead of the January transfer window, with Anderlecht and Dutch side Heerenveen also keen on the 21-year-old.
Vale, whose Chelsea contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 season, hasn’t featured in the Premier League this season. He spent last season on loan with Bristol Rovers in League One where he scored twice and assisted five more in 39 League One appearances.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Sunderland’s interest in the central midfielder, adding: “Decision expected in the next weeks,” with regards to Vale’s future at Stamford Bridge.
Also, journalist Nizaar Kinsella has weighed in on the Vale story too. The BBC reporter posted on X: “Several clubs are interested in Harvey Vale in January. He is expected to leave Chelsea as he enters the last six months of his contract.”
Sunderland have to consider worrying case study before signing Harvey Vale
There’s always a lot of hype around young players in Premier League academies. Sometimes that hype is fulfilled, but a lot of the time, it isn’t.
For Sunderland, the case study of Mason Burstow should be analysed. He was the same as Vale; struggling for game time but held in high regards by Chelsea. When he joined Sunderland on loan for last season, he proved very poor.
Vale would arrive with a bit more experience, although it’s just one full season playing in League One. Expectations should be managed should Sunderland sign Vale, but it’s an exciting link nonetheless.