Everton and Arsenal were linked with Sunderland forward Joel Asoro but it appears he will be staying at the Stadium of Light
With Sunderland’s present looking decidedly worrying, at least the supporters had the hope of a brighter future to cling on to.
The Black Cats aren’t exactly renowned for a prosperous youth system. But with Lyden Gooch, George Honeyman and, above all, Joel Asoro on the verge of regular first-team action, the presence of a few homegrown heroes in the starting XI at least promises to give the fans something to cheer about.
And, in the midst of a distressing summer in which not one senior player has been brought in to compensate for a raft of departures, Asoro seemingly committing his future to Sunderland could hardly have come at a better time.
Joel Asoro has already made history at Sunderland
Asoro became Sunderland’s youngest ever Premier League player when coming off the bench in a 2-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough in August last year. However, that was his only appearance in the senior side in 2016/17 despite former manager David Moyes singing his praises on occasions.
Big season ahead
Yet, new manager Simon Grayson has indicated that the threadbare nature of his squad could make the club’s young stars a crucial part of his plans next season, suggesting that opportunities will be more forthcoming for Asoro.
According to the Sunderland Echo, the Stockholm-born forward had caught the eye of an Everton side on the lookout for Europe’s most exciting young talent after earning a nomination for the prestigious Golden Boy award as well as the Premier League 2 Player of the Season gong.
The report added that Arsenal had made a £5 million bid for Asoro and fellow Sunderland and Sweden starlet Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka.
However, it appears that, for once, Sunderland will hang onto their prized asset.
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