Sunderland starlet Joel Asoro has been linked with a transfer this summer, but the club must do all they can to keep hold of one of the forward.
Sunderland could be set to lose Joel Asoro in the summer. As reported by the Sunderland Echo, Arsenal are looking to swoop for the young Swede and his team-mate Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka in a £5 million deal.
Fellow Premier League clubs Everton, Liverpool and Southampton are also thought to be keen on 18-year-old forward Asoro, who became Sunderland’s youngest ever Premier League player after making his bow last August.
The Swedish U21 international has been tipped for first-team football at the Stadium of Light following Sunderland’s relegation to the Championship.
Joel Asoro became the youngest Swedish player to appear in the Premier League
However, with Premier League sides ready to flex their financial muscle, the temptation of selling Asoro, or any other promising youngsters, may prove too much for Sunderland who are preparing for life in England’s second tier.
The Championship is renowned for it’s competitive nature of and many clubs steeped with proud top-flight history find themselves unable to climb out of it.
The Black Cats are in the midst of a squad overhaul after releasing a number of recognisable first-team players. When a new manager has been put in place, he will have the unenviable task of putting together a new squad in a matter of weeks.
Joel Asoro made his one and only first-team appearance for Sunderland back in August
Whilst Sunderland supporters will be dreaming for an immediate return to the Premier League, they will be under no illusions that this looks unlikely at this present moment and a period of stability is needed.
It is not quite known how much the new manager will be given to spend in the summer transfer window but it is likely that players developed through the club’s academy will be required to help form a team capable of competing in the Championship.
There is no better time than now for Sunderland to commit to putting forward their most promising players into the first-team fold.
If the club does decide to reject any bids for Asoro then it will send out the message that Sunderland are ready to invest in their youth and their future.
Joel Asoro (far right) joined the club from Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna
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