Is there a chance of seeing Dion back in a red and white shirt?
Sunderland have once again been linked with a permanent move for Dion Sanderson – but where does any potential transfer stand?
National reports this week have suggested that the Black Cats have ramped-up their effortstolandthecentraldefender on a permanent basis, while social media has been awash with images of Sanderson in the North East in recent days – further fuelling speculation.
So where does a potential dealstand?Wetakealookatthe stanceofallthreepartiesovera potentialsummermoveforthe youngster.LeeJohnson’sstance on the matter is clear.
He’s a big fan of Sanderson and has been impressed with his performances in recent weeks, and would be keen to sign the young defender were he to become available.
But at the moment, that’s certainly an ‘if ’.
Speaking in February after rumours of interest in a permanent deal surfaced, Johnson said: “We love Dion and he's ours for the short term, but obviously part of our job is to help develop him for Wolves iftheydeemthattheywanthim to stay on.
"We wish him all the best [with that] of course.
"Ofcourse,ifnot,thenaclub like our would of course be interested in a young talent like Dion.Sandersonhasbeenwith Wolves since the age of eight and is a player well thought of at Molineux.
Indeed,hehasalreadybeen handed first-team opportunities
– both on pre-season tours to Asia and in the cup competitions.
It’s not just his undoubted quality as a player that has impressed the Premier League side, but his personality too.
AsacademychiefScottSellars noted in 2019: “You’re not goingtomakeitasaprofessionalfootballerifyoudon’tstriveto improve, and he’s also got the sort of personality we like, really
hard working, determined and committed.
"They’re qualities we’re looking for in players.”
Wolves’ belief in Sanderson’spotentialwasemphasised when they handed the central defender a new contract prior to his loan move to Wearside. That sees him tied-down to his boyhoodclubuntilthesummer of 2022.
It looks unlikely that the
Premier League side would be looking to sell this summer and, if they were, then a high fee would undoubtedly be required.
Much,though,maydepend on who replaces Nuno Espirito Santo in the Midlands and where they see Sanderson in their plans.Dion Sanderson’s Verdict
Sanderson was known to haveenjoyedlifeinSunderland and formed some close friendships. But, publicly at least, the defenderhasmadenosecretof his desire to play for Wolves in the Premier League.
Inarecentinterview,hetold Wolves' official website: "If the opportunity to play for Wolves presenteditself,Iwouldtakeit.
"Wolves have been my boyhood club, and it's where I see myself in the future."
But that hasn't stopped rumours circulating about a prospective summer move.
When asked earlier this year if he had any thoughts on his future following the speculation, the defender said: “Not really.
"For the time being I'm just enjoyingmyfootballreally-taking it game by game, winning and enjoying it. I haven't really thought much of it, it's just enjoying my football.”