Sunderland have made initial enquiries about a move for Sheffield United defender Ben Heneghan as reported by Sky Sports (Live Transfer Centre, 17/7/19, 13:45).
The report claims the Black Cats will face competition from Reading who are also interested in the central defender, now deemed surplus to requirements at Bramall Lane.
The twenty-five-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Blackpool last season, making forty-nine appearances across all competitions.
The former Everton trainee has a year left on his Blades contract after signing from Motherwell in 2017, but he’s made only one FA Cup outing for the newly-promoted Premier League side during his two years with the club, and he’s now unlikely to feature in Chris Wilders plans.
Reading have been linked with the 6ft 3in defender for most of the summer, but the Lads were reportedly keen on the player in January, and it now looks like they have resumed their interest.
Our View
Heneghan re-captured the form at Blackpool which persuaded Sheffield United to offer him a three-year-deal when paying an undisclosed fee to Motherwell for his services in 2017.
Blackpool fans loved him, and although he enjoyed his time there, a move back seems unlikely.
He is a good player and will add strength and competitiveness to a Sunderland backline that often came in for criticism from Sunderland supporters last season.
If the Black Cats beat off competition from Reading it will be a real statement of intent for next season and an outstanding signing.
