Sunderland face stiff competition to keep hold of a number of key players this summer.
The likes of Jack Clarke, Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil have been the subject of interest from the Premier League in recent months.
Sunderland have already managed to tie Chris Rigg down to a new contract, while Neil had rejected their opening offer.
With the club eager to keep their prized assets, they also continue to look to the future of their academy players too.
Rigg is one of many to graduate from the academy with bags of potential and the Black Cats won’t want to miss on the next star to come through the ranks either.
Sunderland ‘keen’ to tie down another academy gem
Caden Kelly is tipped to be one of the next youngsters to break into the first-team and the club are desperate to keep hold of him.
Journalist Alan Nixon wrote on his Patreon: “Sunderland want to keep young midfield playmaker Caden Kelly by offering him a new contract.
“Kelly was a stand out for the under-21s last season and is tipped for a first team breakthrough so they are keen to nail his long term future to them.”
Caden Kelly is another exciting prospect for the Black Cats
The midfielder picked up three goals and 10 assists in only 14 matches for the U21s last season, including six goal contributions in the PL2 play-offs.
The 20-year-old looks to be an unbelievable prospect for Sunderland, but his contract is set to expire this summer.
The Stadium of Light is surely a very tempting place to stay for academy players now, given how much the team have relied on youth and have given opportunities to their youngsters.
Kelly could well force his way into the senior squad next season and could have a real chance to make a name for himself, with the Black Cats lacking in squad depth in the middle of the park.