Northampton Town want around £1 million for Charlie Goode as Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Queens Park Rangers show an interest in the highly-rated defender, according to TEAMtalk.
The fog descended once again over Wearside when it became apparent that the Black Cats were set to spend a third successive season in the third tier for the first time in their history .
But it is amazing what a couple of signings can do.
With a pair of proven League One performers in Aiden O’Brien and Bailey Wright joining on free transfers, there is a growing sense of optimism that 2021 will be the year in which Sunderland finally storm their way back to the Championship.
Winning the race for Goode, a 25-year-old giant who helped Northampton seal promotion from League Two, would represent another sizeable step in the right direction.
But whether Sunderland can afford that £1 million fee, in an era of budget cuts and lost gate receipts, is another matter altogether.
TEAMtalk reports that play-off winners Northampton are demanding a seven-figure sum, with Middlesbrough identifying the 6ft 5ins Goode as a signing perfect for Neil Warnock’s typically physical, back-to-basics approach to management.
West London Sport reported over the weekend that the one-time Fulham youngster could also be offered the chance to play Premier League football with Wembley-bound Brentford joining QPR in the race.
“It is going to take a significant fee,” Northampton chairman Kelvin Thomas told the Cobblers’ website last week, stating that Goode would only leave for a club-record fee.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
