Sunderland eye Will Smallbone summer swoop

Sunderland are enthusiastic about signing Southampton’s 22-year-old midfielder, Will Smallbone.

What’s the phrase?

That’s based on a report from Football League World who declare that the Black Cats are one in all three groups enthusiastic about securing Smallbone’s providers.

As per the report, it’s mentioned that the Eire U21 worldwide might be allowed to depart Southampton on mortgage this summer season in seek for extra recreation time, after he made 12 appearances in all competitions final season, enjoying a mixed whole of simply 603′ minutes of soccer within the first staff.

Millwall and Burnley additionally maintain curiosity within the midfielder and it’s reiterated within the unique report that if the Saints are to set off the midfielder’s exit this summer season, he is not going to be wanting suitors within the EFL.

Neil’s dream midfielder

With a complete of 29 mixed objectives and assists in a break up between 14 objectives and 15 assists in his profession from the reserves to the primary staff, Smallbone managed to make constant strides in his progress, having conjured up 118 appearances to date.

Ought to Sunderland signal Smallbone?

However this season has seen his recreation time drop fairly considerably, and because of this, a transfer to pastures new is precisely what he must rejuvenate a profession that’s at risk of stalling earlier than it absolutely will get going.

Smallbone’s versatility all through the central areas of the pitch make him an Alex Neil dream and he has proven that within the phrases of Dylan O’Connell, he may be “the difference” on the pitch.

Over the course of his profession to date, the 22-year-old has occupied seven completely different positions, making over 40 appearances as a central midfielder and an attacking midfielder.

He’s additionally performed over 5 instances without any consideration midfielder and defensive midfielder, with two or extra appearances coming as a right-winger, left midfielder and at centre-forward.

Coming by means of the ranks of the distinguished Saints academy system, Southampton is all that Smallbone has identified, so a transfer to an formidable but weak Championship aspect like Sunderland may nicely give him an expertise that can mould him as a first-team common.

AND in different information: Kristjaan Speakman now plotting behind-the-scenes SAFC deal, Alex Neil will likely be buzzing