Sunderland are targeting a deal for Glentoran’s Rhys Walsh.
Belfast Live have reported that the 17-year-old is spending the week on Wearside as the Championship outfit look to wrap up a move.
Sunderland are one of a number of clubs monitoring the youngster after a breakthrough with Glentoran in the NIFL Premiership.
Walsh came up through the ranks at Glentoran and has already featured twice for the first team this season, scoring in their penalty shootout defeat to Gzira United in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.
The Northern Ireland U-17 international was named on the bench for last week’s league clash against Larne and could now be on his way out of the club.
Speaking about the teenager this summer, Glens boss Warren Feeney said: “Little Rhys is 16 years of age and a fantastic prospect. I said I wanted to look at the kids.
“You have experience in there with Shay (McCartan), Josh (Kelly), Johnny Russell, Bailey Locke, who for me, has the attributes of being a fantastic player for Glentoran.
“He’s athletic, knows how to tackle and there has to be a pathway for the kids. I want to bleed the kids in now and get them playing. It makes us better for the future.”
Could Sunderland pick up another gem from Northern Ireland in Rhys Walsh?
There will be very few – if any – Sunderland fans that are aware of Rhys Walsh. In fact, there will be only a handful that pay much attention to the NIFL Premiership.
What the Black Cats do know is that they have already found an exceptional player in Trai Hume from Northern Ireland’s Linfield.
The defender had already racked up plenty of appearances for his club prior to the move to Wearside, however Hume wasn’t regarded as a first team player when he joined Sunderland.
The 21-year-old has since hugely impressed at the Stadium of Light and Walsh will be hoping he can do the same if he makes the switch.