Sunderland are interested in Feyenoord midfielder Liam Kelly as reported by the Sun.
Kelly followed his former Reading boss Jaap Stam to Holland after making ninety-four appearances for the Royals in five years.
However, the twenty-four-year-old has failed to establish himself at the De Kuip. He’s made only one appearance in Eredivise this season, and his chances of making his mark took a massive blow when former Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat replaced Stam in October.
The report claims the Black Cats are keen to end the Irishman’s Dutch ordeal by offering him a way back into the EFL during the January window. It also claims Sunderland are not the only club keeping tabs on Kelly, with League One rivals Oxford United and MK Dons also monitoring his progress.
Kelly was a key member of Stam’s Reading side that reached the Championship playoffs in 2017, losing to Huddersfield Town at Wembley.
Reports suggest the Dutch giants are considering cutting their losses on Kelly who is looking to get back to playing regular football and press his claims for a full international call up for the Republic of Ireland who he’s represented at under-19 and under-23 level.
Our View
The diminutive schemer was compared favourably to Andrés Iniesta when he emerged through the Reading academy in October 2016.
The high-quality technical midfielder prospered under Stam’s possession-based football, but over the last eighteen months, his career has faltered.
If Sunderland do beat off the competition to land Kelly, they will be getting a talented player with something to prove who is looking to get his career back on track
It could be a terrific signing.
