Örgryte chief: 'There is interest' in Michael Parker linked with Sunderland, Celtic and Rangers | OneFootball

Örgryte sporting director Pontus Farnerud has addressed the situation of Michael Parker, the 21-year-old ex-West Brom defender linked with Sunderland, Celtic and Rangers.

“Yes, there is interest in Michael. He has a profile and possesses qualities that make him attract interest, but at the moment all focus for both Michael and Öis is the match against Kalmar FF (on Sunday).” He was speaking to Fotbollskanalen.

Farnerud declined to say whether Örgryte had received a formal bid for the defender.

Sunderland have not yet made a summer signing, but departures have been confirmed after contracts expired for Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin, Bertrand Traore and Niall Huggins. Harrison Jones has joined Peterborough United, Nazariy Rusyn has moved to Karpaty Lviv and Milan Aleksic has secured a loan switch to Partizan.

Eliezer Mayenda is set to leave, with a switch to Rennes understood to be close in a deal that would reportedly bring in around £21.5m.

With a Europa League campaign ahead after last season’s seventh-place Premier League finish, Sunderland will play at least eight fixtures in the new league phase, and could face the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Olympique Marseille.

Source: Sunderland Echo