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da roleta： League One outfit Sunderland have reportedly registered an interest in 18-year-old Guiseley striker Josh Stones, with the Black Cats trailing league rivals Wigan Athletic.
What’s the story?
According to Football Insider, the Wearside outfit are keen on the non-league sensation, who is also part of the England schoolboy set-up, but face competition from both Wigan and Scottish giants Rangers.
The young Englishman has scored 21 times in 13 games for the National League North side’s youth team this season whilst making 15 appearances for the first-team scoring once.Â
The striker signed first-team forms with Guiseley in October but could be lured away from the West Yorkshire club this summer.
Sunderland must sign Stones
Having seen Jermain Defoe retire this week after a brief second stint proved unsuccessful, whilst there are no guarantees that loanee Nathan Broadhead will sign permanently, the Black Cats will undoubtedly be looking to add a striker to their ranks this summer.
Granted, if the Wearside club were to sign Stones, it would be incredibly unlikely that manager Alex Neil would throw the youngster into the first-team mix straight away, but there is definitely bags of potential there.
Having scored a ridiculous tally of goals for Guiseley’s youth side as well as impressing in the National League North, there is no doubt that the striker is ready to make the next step up, and joining Sunderland’s youth ranks could be exactly what the 18-year-old needs to continue his development.
It’s still uncertain as to what status of a club the Black Cats will be in the summer with the League One outfit now sat outside of the playoff positions in seventh after Sheffield Wednesday beat Cheltenham Town 4-1 yesterday.
With seven games to secure a playoff spot, Neil’s side face a crucial couple of weeks which will certainly factor the pedigree of talent that they can recruit in the summer.
Moreover, as Wigan lead the race for Stones’ signature, the Latics are also on course for a return to the Championship, with Leam Richardson’s team three points clear of third-placed MK Dons in second with two games in hand.
Although the Wearsiders are trailing in the hunt for the 18-year-old’s signature, the North-East club must continue to pursue bringing the Guiseley man to the Stadium of Light, with the striker already showing glimpses of exciting potential.
In other news: Big boost: Sunderland handed huge transfer lift which could finally see them promoted