Josh Key to Sunderland: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer? | OneFootball

Sunderland have made a few potentially smart signings during the summer transfer window already but Lee Johnson still knows there is lots of work still left to do for them in the transfer market.

The Black Cats have already managed to secure the signings of Alex Pritchard, Corry Evans, Jacob Carney and Callum Doyle this summer. Those signings should prove to strengthen the squad and also see them replace one or two key players that have left the Stadium of Light since the end of last season.

The Black Cats have been trying to add further to their options and have been consistently reported to be interested in a move for Exeter City’s talented winger Josh Key.

It is thought that talks have been underway between both clubs for a few weeks now and that Johnson’s side have seen a few bids rejected by the League Two side for the 21-year-old already.

The fourth and latest bid for Key is reported to have been worth around £1 million including add-ons and the Black Cats will be hoping that offer more closely matches the sort of valuation that Exeter had placed on the winger heading into the summer window.

According to the Northern Echo, Sunderland have not given hope of securing a move for the 21-year-old despite having had as many as four offers knocked back by the League Two outfit.

While it is also being reported that there is an acceptance by Exeter that they are going to have to allow the winger to leave the club at some stage. Although they are determined to get the best price for him.

So, with Sunderland still hoping to get a deal for Key wrapped up this summer we take a look at whether it would be a good signing, whether he would start and also assess what he might offer…

Is it a good potential move?

This is perhaps a signing that would be made with the future in mind as poignantly as the present with the 21-year-old having a lot of potential to be developed over the coming years.

That is perhaps why the Black Cats are keen to secure his services this summer and jump ahead of other clubs that might come in for him further down the line.

Johnson is not a manager that is afraid to put his faith in young and talented players that are making their first steps in their careers.

You could therefore imagine that he would be an ideal coach for someone like Key and that he would be able to get the best kind of form out of him on a consistent basis after spending some time with him on the training ground.

For a fee of around £1 million, Sunderland would be placing a lot of faith in his long-term development, but that appears to be a wise approach and one that might pay off handsomely for them if all was to go to plan regarding the 21-year-old.

Key has already got some valuable first-team experience under his belt from his time with Exeter and he was able to make 43 appearances in League Two last term scoring one goal and providing five assists in the process.

That suggests that the 21-year-old has the potential to provide end product in the final third and that just needs nurturing over the next few seasons.

If Sunderland can get Key signed up to a long-term deal then he would be a good signing for them you would have to think and it would not be a bad idea to secure promising talents of his ability.

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Would he start?

As mentioned above, Johnson is not a manager that will shy away from handing chances to young players that are still developing their games. That is something that he showcased during his time in charge at both Barnsley and Bristol City, which suggests that if Key proves himself in training then he would get chances to play a key role for the Black Cats.

Having said that, you would have to doubt whether Key would be ready to be thrown straight into a side that have real ambitions to challenge for promotion to the Championship at his stage in his career.

Playing week in week out for Exeter in League Two is one thing, but the step up to the third tier is one that is going to be a real challenge for the winger.

Exeter certainly viewed him as a regular starter last term with him making 36 starts in League Two, therefore he has shown that he can consistently hold down a place within a team’s starting line-up.

If he was therefore handed a chance to start early on at Sunderland he might well surprise a few people and retain his place.

However, at first I would suggest that Johnson would look to bed him in with the squad and hand him chances from the bench before then determining whether he is ready to play a major role from the start of matches.

What would he offer?

Sunderland are in need of adding to their options in the wide attacking positions and Key is certainly someone that would be able to come into the squad and provide quality competition for places within the squad in the wide areas.

The 21-year-old also showed with Exeter last term that he can carry the ball forwards in possession and drive at defenses, which is emphasised by him averaging 1.5 successful dribbles per match in League Two last term.

While he also has end product with him averaging 0.6 shots and 0.6 key passes per game which is a decent enough return for someone of his age.

Exeter are a club that are known to produce some quality talents, with both Matt Grimes and Ollie Watkins having thrived at a higher level since they made their departures from the club. The pair both have seen their valuations in the transfer market rocket over the last few seasons.

Therefore, Key offers the potential for a lot of resale value for Sunderland if they can continue his development in the right fashion. Johnson is a good coach for doing just that and therefore you could see the £1 million-plus outlay they payout for him looking very cheap in the next few years.