The Burnley defender is on loan at Sunderland until the summer.
Sunderland fans are reacting after Burnley’s technical director appeared to hint at a permanent transfer for Jimmy Dunne.
Dunne joined Sunderland on loan from Burnley in January and has become an ever-present for Jack Ross’s side.
And speaking via the Lancashire Telegraph, Mike Rigg said: “We want to be one of the best Academies in the country, but we can’t spend what Manchester City spend, so we’ve got to do what’s right for us.
“If we get a Dwight McNeil in the team, or a Jimmy Dunne is (potentially) sold to Sunderland, that’s achieved the objective.”
But what would those of a Sunderland persuasion make of a summer return for the Clarets centre-back?
The jury, it seems, is out…
Dunne is due to enter the final year of his Burnley contract this summer, which means Sunderland are likely to have to pay a fee should they wish to acquire his services long-term.
The 21-year-old moved to Turf Moor in 2016 after nine years in Manchester United’s youth ranks.
He has had loan spells at Barrow AFC, Accrington Stanley, Heart of Midlothian and Sunderland, and won Republic of Ireland caps at under-21 level.
Dunne is one of five senior centre-backs currently on Sunderland’s books, alongside Tom Flanagan, Jack Baldwin, Alim Ozturk and Glenn Loovens.
Should Sunderland sign the Burnley defender outright this summer?
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