Chris Rigg, Jobe Bellingham factor hands Sunderland advantage in race with Leeds United, Coventry City | OneFootball

The Black Cats have shown that they are prepared to put faith in youth, with Tyler Goodrham said to be on their radar

Tyler Goodrham is a wanted man this winter, with a whole host of Championship clubs said to be interested in the Oxford United man.

Leeds United, Sunderland, Coventry City and Swansea City are all credited with having an interest in the 21-year-old, according to a report from Football Insider, after he has demonstrated his quality with a number of accomplished performances at the Kassam Stadium of late.

With six goal contributions across the season, and bagfuls of energy to go with it, the academy graduate has been influential in a U’s side that have found a second win under the management of Gary Rowett, which has left a quartet of divisional rivals keen on his signature.

While all four clubs will have their reasons for bringing the playmaker in this winter, Sunderland are a side who have a track record of getting the most out of young talents of late, and that will likely hand the Black Cats a boost over their rivals if a bidding war commences.

Tyler Goodrham receives Championship interest after impressive Oxford United displays

Oxford are a side who have adapted well to the rigours of the Championship after their League One play-off victory last term, and Goodrham’s displays have been fundamental to that success.

The young talent set out his stall early on in his first taste of life in the second tier, with a stunning effort in the 3-1 victory over Preston North End at the start of the season, as the U’s flew out of the blocks upon their return to the top rung of the Football League.

Since then, he has continued to be a menace to many a Championship backline, with another strike against Luton Town earning his side a point at Kenilworth Road, before repeating the trick in a 1-1 draw with Millwall in November.

As well as finding the back of the net himself, Goodrham has also added an extra selfless level to his game when heading into the final third, with key contributions helping his side earn points over the Festive period, with assists in wins over Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle.

While he currently finds himself on the sidelines after seeing red in the 3-1 defeat to Exeter City in the FA Cup earlier in the month, there is no doubt in the Oxford star’s potential going forward, with the U’s set to have a battle on their hands to keep hold of him as the winter transfer window continues.

Sunderland could hold key advantage in Tyler Goodrham transfer chase

While the likes of Swansea City, Coventry City and Leeds United are all said to be keen on Goodrham, it is Sunderland who seem the most interesting fit right now, with the Wearsiders’ track record of getting the best out of exciting young talents speaking for itself over recent seasons.

Whether it be the wizardry of Jack Clarke on the wing, or the tenacity of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham in the middle of the park, the Black Cats have made a name for themselves for nurturing the best young talent within the EFL of late, and Goodrham could quite easily slot into Regis Le Bris’ plans at the Stadium of Light.

While game time might be easier to come by at Coventry or the Swans, the Irish star is set for big things in the future, and at this current moment in time, a move to either of those sides would be something of a sideways step in his career, given Oxford’s presence in mid-table in the second tier.

Leeds would be another tempting proposition for the 21-year-old, but with the plethora of talent available to the Elland Road side as it stands, it would be hard to see how Goodrham lodges into Daniel Farke’s plans, with the Whites favouring an approach that snaps up proven talent rather than those untested at the level.

Sunderland are the anomaly in that regard of late, and have prospered greatly from a refreshing approach that puts faith in any player regardless of their age, with Rigg and Jobe the finest examples of that right now.

Both players have featured in the majority of their club’s matches this season, and continue to get better and better as they mature, with the teenage pair contributing towards 12 goals between them in the Championship so far in the current campaign.

With the exposure that they have been given at such an early age, it is no surprise that the world’s biggest clubs are sniffing around, with Manchester United said to be linked with Rigg, while Borussia Dortmund are reportedly after Jobe.

While they are benefiting Sunderland in the short-term, the duo’s success is only helping to prove what a springboard the Stadium of Light can be for a promising player’s career right now, and that could help sway Goodrham if he has to decide about his future in the coming weeks, with the north east side prepared to put their faith in a player’s ability no matter what.