Sunderland set to battle with Watford FC for ex-Aston Villa winger | OneFootball

According to Spanish outlet EsportBase, the Black Cats are keen on signing the 22-year-old, who has plenty of English clubs interested in bringing him back to his home nation.

Frith’s contract is set to expire later this month, but the La Liga outfit hold an option to extend it by a further 12 months - although his wage would double should Valencia opt to take that up.

This situation has put a number of clubs on high alert, with Sunderland now joining the race to win his signature.

Frith has struggled for game time at Valencia, having been unable to break into the senior first-team squad.

He has instead featured for their reserve team, Valencia Mestalla, which competes in the fourth tier of Spanish football.

Sunderland join Declan Frith pursuit and join Watford, Birmingham City and QPR

It was reported earlier this month that Watford have offered Frith a contract ahead of a proposed move back to English football this summer.

And it is now understood that Sunderland have now joined the race with the Hornets to try and tempt the winger away from Spain.

There are a number of clubs eyeing a move for the 21-year-old, with the likes of QPR and Birmingham City having also been credited with an interest earlier this year.

There are also Spanish sides looking to lure him away from rivals Valencia, including Getafe and Atletico Madrid.

However, it is believed that Frith’s preference is to remain with his current club and fight for a place to break into their first-team squad.

It has been claimed that Getafe see the forward as a potential first team player, but Atletico Madrid are likely to move him to their reserve side.

Despite Frith’s desire to remain at Valencia, the Spanish club are weighing up their options before deciding to extend his deal by an extra year.

It has been reported that financial concerns are preventing them from triggering the clause in his deal, with his salary set to double if he stays despite his lack of game time, with Valencia having until 30 June to make a final decision.

Sunderland have yet to appoint a new head coach for the first team squad, which has complicated their summer transfer plans.

Michael Beale was dismissed from the role in February after just 63 days in charge, leaving Mike Dodds in place on an interim basis until the end of the campaign.

However, a month after the season concluded, the Wearside outfit are still yet to confirm the successor to Beale.

This could have an impact on their current summer transfer plans, even if sporting director Kristjaan Speakman will be heavily involved in the recruitment process.

Declan Frith sits Sunderland AFC's transfer model

Frith hasn’t quite made the breakthrough he might’ve been hoping for at this stage of his career, but his stock is still high anyway.

The winger should be looking to prioritise regular first team senior football at the highest level possible with the next step in his career as he needs it for his development.

This is where Sunderland’s philosophy of youth can give them the edge, as young players can feel guaranteed of game time at the Stadium of Light.

But the lack of a head coach makes it difficult to convince players to make the move, as they don’t know who will be in charge of the team next season, or what their tactical plans will be - that is what may potentially let the Black Cats down here.