Sunderland would look to re-sign Amad Diallo but it doesn’t sound like a realistic objective for the Championship club this summer.
The suggestion has been played down by Sunderland Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman, after the 20-year-old impressed at the Stadium of Light last season.
Amad scored 14 goals and registered a further four assists in 42 appearances whilst on loan at Sunderland. He ended the season as their top scorer.
Many believe Amad would benefit from a loan spell at a bigger club — maybe in the Premier League — before trying to break into the United team. Others think he would be a good option from the bench for Erik ten Hag next season.
Sunderland chief Speakman believes that Amad is ready for top-flight football.
“I think he’s one of a few players in a category of taking a bit of a risk off the back of us explaining what our story is and what’s potentially achievable here,” said Speakman, as quoted by the Sunderland Echo.
“It’s a little bit easier because when we’re doing these presentations to players now, we’ve got these really strong examples of success. Players want to know what you’re telling them is the truth.
“Young players want an opportunity, in a style that suits them, and they want to win games and enjoy it. We had a lovely chat [at the end of the season], myself, Tony [Mowbray], Amad and his young family, he’s a really nice young boy and we’re really pleased that we could help him in his career.
“The whole point for Amad was to come here, be successful and go to the next level. Let’s be really clear, he’s a tier-one footballer in the global game. There’s a lot of clubs out there, Bundesliga, La Liga, Premier League… that will want to take him.
“The really nice thing I think is that I think he would want to come back, and that says a lot about his experience here and how the fans have taken to him. That’s the really positive thing for us to take forward.”
Ten Hag must make a decision on the 20-year-old’s potential involvement in the first team. Having made 32 starts for the Black Cats under Tony Mowbray, Amad won’t want to spend the season sat on the bench either.
Why not take him back and test the waters until January? United could always sort a loan deal midway through the season if he isn’t getting enough game time.
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