Salford City eyeing Sunderland deal after Notts County links | OneFootball

The Ammies are in desperate need of goalkeeping reinforcements before the new season starts.

Salford City are reportedly preparing a loan move for Sunderland goalkeeper Matty Young, with the former Notts County target scheduled for talks with the Ammies to take place this week.

That's according to a report from Alan Nixon on Monday morning, in what could be an important piece of business by the League Two side.

Karl Robinson's side lost their starting goalkeeper from last season, Alex Cairns, to Championship side Leeds United in the past week, leaving the club with no registered senior options between the sticks.

Therefore, finding a new pair of gloves or two before the season starts is obviously crucial for Salford and it appears they've found one.

Nixon has revealed that the Ammies are interested in taking the Black Cats' highly-rated shot-stopper on loan for the 2024/25 season, as they look to fill their vacant goalkeeper gloves.

The 17-year-old keeper spent time last season with National League North side Darlington, where he made 14 appearances for the Quakers in what was his first taste of senior football.

Nixon states that the England youth international is willing to make the move to Salford if he's given the starting gloves and talks over a potential move and what his role would be under Robinson are set to be discussed this week.

A product of Sunderland's academy, Young was previously linked with a move to Notts County this summer by Nixon, in what is a clear sign that clubs at League Two level believe he is ready for an opportunity in the EFL next season.

Young is a gamble Salford have to take

With no goalkeeping options currently at his disposal, Robinson knows that he has to make some additions to that department before the 2024/25 season gets underway in a matter of weeks.

Therefore, the luxury of being able to be picky when it comes to who they sign to fill that gaping void, is not really afforded to them at this stage.

That isn't to say Young is a player that the club have simply drawn his name from a hat, he will have no doubt been thoroughly scouted and properly identified as a target by the club.

As such, it's imperative that they sell the project to the teenager, and if it's the starting role between the sticks he's after, then currently that's all Salford can offer him.

The teenager is believed to be very well thought of at Sunderland too, as Manchester United and Manchester City both reportedly scouted Young last season.

The Black Cats have developed an impressive track record of producing top goalkeeping talent in recent times, with the most high profile being England international Jordan Pickford, whilst current goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has been tracked by numerous top clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool for some time.

This should provide Salford fans with optimism that, despite his tender age and lack of experience in the professional game, that he has come from a place where they know how to develop and nurture goalkeeping talent.

Sunderland are obviously keen for him to get some EFL experience under his belt as quickly as possible too, in what is another sign that the Championship outfit think highly of his potential to play a part for them in the near future.

It's a transfer that would appear to make a lot of sense for both clubs, and it's a deal that Salford should move quickly to secure in order to give him time to bed in and stop the potential for another team to swoop in and steal him away from their grasp.