JUSTIN ; From Sunderland If Daniel Ballard departs, a Manchester United player might be the perfect replacement.
Sunderland: Man Utd player could be ideal Daniel Ballard replacement if he leaves –
- With transfer rumors surrounding Ballard, Sunderland may have to find a replacement for the key center-back in the upcoming summer transfer window.
- Everton is reportedly interested in signing Ballard for €23 million, leaving Sunderland in need of a new defender if the deal goes through.
- Man United’s Will Fish could be a suitable replacement for Ballard, showcasing solid defensive stats and the potential to excel at a higher level.
Sunderland may be searching for a replacement for Dan Ballard in the summer as transfer links have emerged surrounding the 24-year-old in the last week.
Ballard signed for the Black Cats in the summer of 2022, joining from Arsenal in a permanent transfer deal following their promotion to the second tier from League One.
Since then, he has been a key player for the Wearsiders when fit, racking up over 50 appearances for them and establishing himself as a top Championship centre-back.
At 24 years of age, you’d expect that now is the time for Ballard to make the move up to the top division – presuming that Sunderland do not get promoted in the current campaign.
Whilst the jump to the top flight looking like it could have happened with Sunderland last season, their play-off defeat against Luton Town and the poor run of form this season – which has seen both Tony Mowbray and Mick Beale sacked as manager – has put the Black Cats on the back foot in the chase for the play-offs.
Ballard has been linked with a move away from Sunderland with Everton interested
Sunderland could be looking for a replacement for Ballard in the summer, if rumours of a move away from the club come to fruition.
Everton have been linked with a move for Ballard, with a €23 million (£19.66 million) figure being reported as the potential transfer fee the Merseyside club would have to pay for the six foot two inch centre-back.
While this seems like a huge fee for Everton, given their recent financial troubles in the Premier League, the Sunderland defender is being targeted as a replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite.
The towering Toffees’ defender could move to Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur in the summer if a huge offer comes in, leaving a hole to fill in defence for Sean Dyche.
