Sunderland defender linked with £20m summer move to Everton

It promises to be an interesting summer at Sunderland, with another of their top performers wanted by Premier League clubs.

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard is being targeted by Everton as a replacement for in-demand Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports.

The 23-year-old has been a standout performer for Sunderland since a £2million move from Arsenal in 2022, and that has not gone unnoticed by Premier League clubs.

While Everton are experiencing financial difficulties right now, they will likely get a cash windfall this summer from a sale Branthwaite, who is wanted by Manchester United.

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Since he is an academy product, a big sale would generate significant room for manoeuvre within the Premier League PSR rules, leaving the Toffees able to target a direct replacement.

That man, according to Football Transfers, could well be Ballard, who the reports claim will command a fee of around £20million.

Are the reports accurate?

While we can’t speak of the credibility of the report linking Ballard with Everton, Sunderland Nation does understand there is very concrete interest in Northern Irishman from the Premier League.

West Ham have a long-standing interest, although that could change if David Moyes leaves the Hammers ahead of the summer transfer window.

Ballard, like Jack Clarke, is also of serious interest to Southampton should they get promoted back to the Premier League. Brentford have also been keeping a close eye on the pair. 

It was always going to be the case that Sunderland would face a huge fight to keep Ballard and Clarke this summer, and with the Black Cats’ own promotion hopes fading fast it’s starting to look inevitable that they will leave.

Sunderland would feel well-prepared for any potential Ballard departure, though, with players such as Jenson Seelt, Leo Hjelde and, if he can stay fit, Aji Alese primed to step in.

We can also confirm that Sunderland are looking for at least £20million for Ballard, although Arsenal have a ‘significant sell-on’ clause that would need to be settled as well. 

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