Championship newcomers Sunderland have had a second bid for AFC Wimbledon midfielder Jack Rudoni rejected with the League Two outfit demanding a minimum of £1 million up front, as reported by the Northern Echo.
While Sunderland are not exactly short of talented attacking midfielders – Alex Neil already has Alex Pritchard, Patrick Roberts, Dan Neil and Elliot Embleton, plus the returning Jack Diamond at his disposal – Rudoni could still give the Black Cats a whole new dimension in the final third.
After all, Embleton is the only midfielder on Sunderland’s books who scored more than four league goals in 2021/22. Rudoni, however, found the net 12 times all on his own. A tally that looks even more impressive when you consider that Wimbledon ended up in the drop zone after a remarkable 26-game winless run.
A boyhood Chelsea supporter, Rudoni grew up idolising Frank Lampard and it shows. At the age of 20, the London-born attacker already appears to have perfected the knack of popping up in the right place at the right time inside the penalty area.
And, even after being dumped into the fourth tier, AFC Wimbledon are determined to avoid losing their prized asset on the cheap.
Sunderland fail with second Jack Rudoni bid
According to the Northern Echo, Sunderland, who first expressed an interest back in January, have now seen two bids rejected. The Dons still expect Rudoni to depart, though they are refusing to budge on their valuation. Wimbledon are demanding over £1 million. What’s more, they want pretty much every penny up front, rather than spread out across a number of instalments.
The Sun believe that Huddersfield Town and Bristol City have also had offered batted away.
“We ain’t in the business of selling our best young players,” says manager Johnnie Jackson.
“We understand that everyone has got a valuation. But it would take something substantial – and I mean substantial – to come in. Then we’d consider (selling).
“But, if not, then we won’t look to sell.”
The Echo adds that Sunderland are also in talks with Arsenal for Northern Ireland international centre-back Dan Ballard. Jack Clarke and Nathan Broadhead could also return after impressive loan stints at the Stadium of Light.
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