Sunderland reportedly wanted to sign Aden Flint last summer but there’s now huge competition for the Bristol City centre-back.
With all due respect to Bristol City, it’s a surprise that they have managed to hang onto inspirational captain Aden Flint for so long.
The towering centre-back has been playing his football at Ashton Gate since 2013 but, so far, a step up the footballing ladder has not been forthcoming for one of the Football League’s most fearsome defenders.
Though it appears that, this summer, Flint could finally get his move. The Sun (page 63, May 7th) reported that both Aston Villa and Derby County were interested in the 27-year-old while West Brom and West Ham were considering giving him a chance in the Premier League.
Aden Flint has helped keep Bristol City in the second tier for two straight seasons
And Flint ‘liking’ a Tweet asking him to join Leeds United has only ramped up the speculation that a move could be on the cards. But there appears to be a very real feeling that Sunderland could miss out on a player they have been tracking for at least a year.
The Chronicle reported in June 2016 that Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce was hoping to land Flint to shore up a leaky defence prior to him jumping ship and taking the England job prior to the start of the season.
And, a year on, you could make a case for Flint being an even more inspired addition. Sunderland’s disastrous 3-0 friendly defeat to St Johnstone once again highlighted the huge defensive problems new manager Simon Grayson will need to solve and it appears very unlikely that he will be able to call upon the services of Lamine Kone by the end of August.
Therefore, although Flint would cost £4 million according to the Daily Mail, a hefty fee for a cash-strapped club, the investment could prove to be worth every penny for a club crying out for leaders and, above all, solid centre-backs.
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