The young Sunderland player has been linked with a potential loan move to the EFL. On Sunday afternoon, Sunderland’s under-21 team will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League 2 play-off final in London. This match comes amidst transfer speculation involving some of Sunderland’s promising talents.
Graeme Murty’s squad had a commendable season, securing ten victories and finishing seventh in the league standings. They progressed to the play-off final with impressive performances against teams like West Ham and Reading. The Black Cats’ under-21s are now set to take on Spurs, who topped the regular season, at the Tottenham Stadium in London.
In the lead-up to the game, Alan Nixon reported that Sunderland’s left-back Oliver Bainbridge is attracting interest from Bradford City. Bainbridge has been a consistent presence for the under-21s this season. Bradford City, managed by Graham Alexander, competes in League Two, the fourth tier of the EFL. Additionally, Nixon mentioned that Halifax is interested in midfielder Caden Kelly on loan for the summer. However, Halifax’s manager, Chris Millington, recently denied any interest in Kelly during an interview, stating, “Nothing in that at all, no. We didn’t take any loans last year.” Millington emphasized that prioritizing their own young players has placed them in a strong position, and they only consider the loan market to address specific needs like injuries or performance issues.
Sunderland’s recent retained list revealed that Kelly will stay at the Academy of Light next season after the club triggered an option in his contract. Kelly, a former Manchester City player, has been pivotal in Sunderland’s successful under-21 campaign, contributing significantly to their performance. The team finished in the Premier League 2 play-off positions and advanced to the final by defeating West Ham and Reading. Now, they are preparing for a crucial match against Tottenham Hotspur.