Newcastle United and Sunderland are among the clubs reportedly interested in Josh Hawkes.
According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough are interested in signing Hartlepool United midfielder Josh Hawkes in the summer of 2019.
Burnley, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United, Hull City and Barnsley are also claimed to be interested in the 20-year-old midfielder.
With so many clubs reported to want the youngster, Sunderland are surely in a losing battle to convince him to move to the Stadium of Light at the end of the season.
True, the Black Cats are a massive club and could get promoted from League One to the Championship at the end of the season, but it is hard to see them compete financially with the likes of Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Burnley or Huddersfield.
Of course, winning promotion to the Championship will enhance Sunderland’s ability to spend more on wages and transfer fees than they are able to right now, but even then, it will not be at the level of Newcastle, Burnley or even Huddersfield.
So far this season, the midfielder has made 11 starts and 10 substitute appearances in the National League Premier for Hartlepool, scoring five goals in the process, according to WhoScored.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
