"Might be a little too much" - Sunderland man targeted by Everton as £20m valuation emerges | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sunderland are set to face a battle to keep hold of central defender Dan Ballard this summer.

That is according to a transfer report that emerged earlier this week, as according to FootballTransfers, Premier League outfit Everton have 'concrete interest' in the 24-year-old.

Sources have revealed that the Toffees have been keeping an eye on Ballard for quite some time now, and with top Premier League clubs having been linked with Jarrad Branthwaite, Ballard is being viewed as a potential replacement for the towering youngster.

Dan Ballard would be a risky signing for Everton

With Everton's interest in the Northern Ireland international now apparent, it begs the question - Would Ballard be a good signing for Sean Dyche's side and should Sunderland cash in for the right price? Two FLW writers have had their say on the situation...

Simmey Hannifin-Donaldson

First off, let's start by praising Dan Ballard.

Following his arrival in the Championship, initially on loan at Millwall and then permanently at Sunderland last summer, he has been excellent.

Sometimes players leave Premier League clubs and find the second tier too high of a level to play at, but that has certainly not been the case for the 24-year-old.

With those impressive performances, it is only natural that Premier League clubs are coming sniffing, and he is deserving of that attention, for sure.

What I would say, though, is that for £20 million, the fee being reported it could cost Everton to sign him, it is a bit of a gamble for the Toffees.

Whilst in the years to come, if he goes on to succeed at top-flight level, that could look a bargain, right now, Everton would be forking out a sizeable fee for a player with absolutely no Premier League experience whatsoever.

Given they as a club have been fighting relegation year on year of late, and the financial issues they have faced, spending such an amount is a big deal for the club, and therefore be thoroughly thought through.

That's not to say Everton shouldn't sign Ballard, but that they must be convinced he is their man if they are to make a move.

Ben Wignall

Ballard is a very good defender at Championship level, and aside from Jack Clarke, he is perhaps the Black Cats' biggest saleable asset right now along with Anthony Patterson.

However, there are a few flaws attached to Ballard, which include his injury record before this season.

The ex-Arsenal man was out for months as a Millwall player with a knee injury, and in his first year at the Stadium of Light he suffered not only a broken foot, but also a hamstring injury that ended his season early in March of last year.

Saying that though, Ballard has battled back this season to be almost an ever-present figure at the back for Sunderland, and he's a Premier League player in waiting - that on current form though doesn't look likely to be the Wearsiders in 2024-25.

Should Everton sell Branthwaite - who is three years Ballard's junior - in the summer for a gargantuan fee, a figure of £10-15 million would probably be a reasonable amount for Ballard, who may not peak for a few more years yet.

The £20 million that is being touted though might be a little too much for Ballard, although he is only worth what someone is willing to pay at the end of the day - and if no-one will reach that figure then Sunderland will happy keep him no doubt as his contract only runs out in 2027.

Next to James Tarkowski though, Ballard could improve as a player massively and be just as much of an asset to Everton than Branthwaite currently is.