Sunderland are running an eye over Newcastle prospect Nathan Harker after he was told he could leave St James’ Park this season, as reported by the Chronicle.
The 21-yar-old has been coming up through the Newcastle youth system for a while, but has seemingly hit a ceiling. He’s played some senior football, having enjoyed a loan spell at Blyth Spartans but his Magpies career is coming to an end.
The stopper sees his current contract expire at the end of the season and it seems that Newcastle have told him he won’t be getting an offer to remain with the club. That’s alerted Sunderland, who will offer him a trial with Elliot Dickman’s Under 23 side.
The Sunderland Under 23 setup has delivered several of their first-team players, including Elliot Embelton, Ethan Robson and Lynden Gooch, as well as departed stars such as Josh Maja and Joel Asoro.
“Nathan has been told by Newcastle that he won’t be getting a new contract at the end of the season, which makes him available to go on trial at other clubs,” said Dickman.
“I’ve known Nathan for a long time because he has played against our sides over the years, and he is one of those players that I’ve kept an eye on.”
He featured for Sunderland Under 23s in match against Huddersfield Town and will be given another chance to impress in the coming days.
Our View
It makes perfect sense for young players from top-flight clubs to filter down into League One.
The only real stinger for Sunderland fans is they’re now the smaller club taking the scraps from their bitter rival’s table.
The situation is one they won’t enjoy, but if they pick up a diamond thrown aside by the black and white side of Tyne and Wear, they’ll surely be delighted.
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