Sunderland look set to miss out on Feyenoord midfielder Liam Kelly as reported by the Oxford Mail.
The Sunderland Echo has also picked up the story that claimed Kelly was in the stands to watch Oxford’s 4-1 FA Cup win over Hartlepool United at the weekend ahead of a proposed loan move.
National reports suggested Kelly was a top target for the Black Cats, but it appears he’s decided to return south to a side currently fourth in the League One table.
The twenty-four-year-old followed his former Reading boss Jaap Stam to Holland in the summer after making ninety-four appearances for the Royals in five years. He was a key member of Stam’s Reading side that reached the Championship playoffs in 2017, losing to Huddersfield Town at Wembley.
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 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.
Sunderland have been tracking him for a while, so losing out will be seen as a blow to many fans.
If he recaptures his Reading form, Oxford could be on the verge of making a terrific signing.
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