Michael Graham on Sunderland stance and valuation of Dan Ballard amid transfer links.
The centre-back Dan Ballard of Sunderland is currently being pursued by Will Still’s team, RC Lens.
The 31-year-old Will Still is well-known to Sunderland supporters; he was a long-term contender for the manager position and is said to have agreed to take over as Black Cats manager earlier this year.
However, the English-Belgian coach then withdrew from consideration and accepted the position at RC Lens, guaranteeing himself a spot in the French Ligue 1 for the 2024–2025 season.
Since then, Sunderland has hired Regis Le Bris, who previously managed Lorient in Ligue 1.
The Black Cats are expected to bring in additional players and perhaps let go of others as well. To date, they have added Alan Browne and Simon Moore on free transfers.
There are names associated with relocation, such as Jobe Bellingham and Jack Clarke. But now it’s Dan Ballard, as RC Lens and Still watch for a possible summer move.
Michael Graham discusses RC Lens and his continued interest in Sunderland’s Dan Ballard.
Ballard, 24, had a successful 2023–24 season playing in the Championship for Sunderland.
After being limited to just 19 games in the 2022–2023 season due to injuries, the former Arsenal player played 43 times in the Championship.
However, reporter Michael Graham disclosed on X on Tuesday that Ballard has been designated as a “major summer target” by Still’s RC Lens.
Graham stressed in his follow-up remarks that Sunderland will not allow Ballard to leave “lightly or cheaply.”
Ballard, in Graham’s opinion, is the best defender in the Championship.
What is the Sunderland value? Dan Ballard amid connections from RC Lens
Some of Europe’s major leagues are showing interest in Sunderland’s young players, including Ballard.
Among such names are Clarke, Bellingham, Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, and Trai Hume. The media has frequently reported on a relatively hazy £20 million price.
Therefore, it’s probably safe to anticipate that Sunderland, depending on the teams involved, will aim for the £20 million mark for any of their highly sought-after young players.
It’s reasonable to believe that Ballard is another player worth roughly £20 million at the Stadium of Light given that he was previously linked to Everton and that a £19 million price tag was discussed at the time.
Granted the scarcity of centre backs at Sunderland, Ballard’s retention might be prioritised over players like Clarke, for instance.
Furthermore, Ballard’s contract expires in2027, thus the team is not under any urgent rush to sell the player.
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