Cyrus Christie could leave Derby County on a free transfer and Sunderland may be well placed to make him one of their first summer signings.
Sunderland’s summer transfer strategy appears to be following a certain trend: young, affordable and home-grown.
After all, David Moyes did claim recently that he wanted more ‘Britishness’ in his side. And while Cyrus Christie plays his international football for the Republic of Ireland, the 24-year-old came through the youth system at Coventry City and, more importantly, is out of contract this summer.
In short, he fits the bill for a cash-strapped Sunderland side hardly blessed with options at right-back.
That Billy Jones (below) is now the club’s undisputed first choice is more a reflection on the under-par performances of summer signings Donald Love and Javier Manquillo. The seldom-seen Adam Matthews, meanwhile, appears to remain an afterthought at the Stadium of Light.
Therefore, if soon-to-be-relegated Sunderland are to avoid following in Aston Villa’s footsteps by slipping into mid-table no man’s land in the Championship next season, Christie is exactly the sort of player David Moyes should put on his shopping list.
The 6ft 2ins defender has started just 24 games in an injury hit season but, in his two previous seasons at Derby County, proved that he is one of the second tier’s most dangerous attacking full-backs on his day.
According to the Daily Mirror, Sunderland were interested in Christie after he burst onto the scene with cash-strapped Coventry City in 2013. Four years on, the Black Cats may have the perfect opportunity to get their man at last.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
