Sunderland and Middlesbrough are two fierce rivals in the North East, and the two look set to go into a transfer battle in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Sunderland currently have the better of Middlesbrough, though the Black Cats certainly haven’t had a positive run of late.
Regis Le Bris’ side suffered their biggest defeat of the season last time out losing 3-0 at Coventry City, but retaining their spot in 4th place of the Championship table.
The Black Cats are 15 points ahead of Middlesbrough down in 8th. Michael Carrick has faced criticism this season but his side remain in play-off contention with just three points between them and Tony Mowbray’s West Brom in 6th.
It could be that Sunderland face Middlesbrough in the play-offs at the end of the season. And that might not be the first time that the two teams lock horns in the coming months, with the pair now eyeing deals for Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle, who joined Wolves from Manchester City in a £4.3million deal last summer.
‘Good chance’ Tommy Doyle moves north amid Sunderland and Middlesbrough interest
Earlier in the year, Sunderland were linked with Doyle as a possible replacement for Jobe Bellingham who has ongoing interest from several Premier League and European teams. But soon after the initial Doyle link, transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed that Middlesbrough are also interested in Doyle.
At the time, Bailey suggested that Wolves manager Vitor Pereira was undecided on Doyle. Now though, Bailey has told Sunderland AFC News that Pereira has decided Doyle is no longer in his long-term plans at the Molineux.
Bailey explained: “Doyle will likely be leaving Molineux this summer. I am told he is not really in the plans of Vitor Pereira. There is a good chance he could end up in the North East as Sunderland and Middlesbrough are both keeping close tabs on him.”
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The latest on Jobe Bellingham’s future at Sunderland
Inevitably, a Sunderland move for Doyle seems reliant on whether or not they lose Bellingham in the summer, which right now seems quite likely given Sunderland’s poor form and their likely struggle in the play-offs – that might prompt Carrick and Boro to make their move for Doyle sooner rather than later.
Bellingham has shone for England’s U21s once again during this March international break. Manchester United are again being linked after reports earlier in March revealed that Chelsea were weighing up a bid for Bellingham, along with long-term admirers Borussia Dortmund.
With Sunderland in the midst of a promotion push though, any kind of concrete transfer talk about Bellingham will wait until the season is concluded. Doyle though may be free to talk to other clubs well before.