Sunderland AFC: Trey Ogunsuyi transfer stance emerges amid Liverpool interest | OneFootball

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a January transfer involving Sunderland

Sunderland intend to fend off any interest from Liverpool for teenage striker Trey Ogunsuyi in the upcoming January transfer window.

According to The Northern Echo, the Black Cats are looking to avoid a potential sale of one of their brightest young talents when the market opens next month.

Belgian youth international Ogunsuyi is the latest exciting talent to emerge from the Championship club’s academy system, and reports linking him to Anfield has led to speculation over his future.

He is yet to make his senior debut for Sunderland, thrice making it into the first-team matchday squad in the league but never making it off the bench.

Sunderland don't want to sell Trey Ogunsuyi amid Liverpool interest

It was reported earlier this week by the Daily Mail that Liverpool are keen on making a move for Ogunsuyi off the back of his sparkling form for Sunderland's under-21's this season, having scored 10 times in 14 appearances in all competitions.

But it is believed that the Black Cats hierarchy are going to hold firm if any interest does materialise with a formal offer when the transfer window opens in the new year.

The Black Cats are hoping to convince the young forward that they can offer him a pathway to first team football, with recent examples like Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson likely to strengthen their case.

Both Rigg and Watson have broken into the first-team squad in the last 12 months, making 20 and 10 league appearances so far this season, respectively.

Ogunsuyi has a full-time contract with the second tier side until the summer of 2026, meaning that not only are Sunderland protected by the fact the Belgian is a professional, but there is no immediate need to cash in this January.

And Sunderland are reportedly planning to hold firm amid speculation surrounding Liverpool’s interest, with it being hoped that the player can break into Régis Le Bris’ plans soon.

Sunderland should remain firm on Trey Ogunsuyi in January

Given where they are in the Championship standings, Sunderland have no immediate need to sell, and have proven themselves to be tough negotiators in the last few years when it comes to interest in their better players.

However, if they are going to convince the youngster to stay long-term, then they will need to guarantee him a pathway into the first-team, much like they have done with Rigg and Watson.

Rigg and Watson’s emergence as stars in the last 12 months will give the striker some confidence that game time will come soon if he can keep performing well at underage level, and given he's already been in and around the first-team, that chance should soon come.

The opportunity to move to a high class developmental system though like Liverpool is always going to be tempting, so stopping Ogunsuyi's head being turned could be an issue for Sunderland beyond January as well.