"Ridiculous offer" - Pundit can see Sunderland AFC selling player to Man City on one condition | OneFootball

FLW spoke exclusively to Carlton Palmer to collect his thoughts on Man City links to Sunderland goalkeeper Matty Young.

Carlton Palmer is confident Sunderland will fight any interest from Manchester City after they re-ignited their interest in England youth international goalkeeper Matty Young, who is currently on loan at Salford City.

The latest regarding their interest comes via Alan Nixon, who reports that the reigning Premier League champions were previously keen on the teenager before he made his breakthrough into first-team football at the Peninsula Stadium under Karl Robinson.

Young is currently tied down to Sunderland until 2028, with high hopes for his future on Wearside, but his head could potentially be turned with fresh links to the Etihad Stadium recently. This is his first full season playing EFL football, having previously had a stint with Darlington in the National League North.

Carlton Palmer reacts to Matty Young and Man City links

Ex-England international and current EFL pundit Carlton Palmer believes he is someone that Sunderland will be desperate to hold onto, given his potential and the persistent Premier League links to Anthony Patterson.

Speaking to Football League World, he said: "Man City are apparently interested in Sunderland's England U-20 international goalkeeper Matty Young.

"They are calling him a wonderkid after a string of impressive clean sheets. Apparently, City were interested in the 18-year-old stopper before he even made his first-team breakthrough at Salford.

"Since coming into the side, he has conceded just one goal in eight matches. He's in the midst of reeling off a stunning run of six clean sheets in a row.

"Salford now have the joint-best defence in the league with AFC Wimbledon, who are second in the table. Young, incredibly now, has the chance to audition in front of Pep Guardiola on Saturday night as Salford face City in the third round of the FA Cup.

"He spent last season on loan at Darlington, and he's been capped by England at U-18, U-19, and U-20 level.

"It'll be interesting. I doubt very much whether Sunderland would be open to letting him go. Long-term, I think Patterson will move on from Sunderland as he's been coveted by the big clubs in the Premier League.

"It's almost certain at some point that he will move on, and they may have a ready-made replacement in Matty Young.

"That is why he is out getting experience in the lower leagues. I very much doubt that Sunderland will sell him unless, of course, Man City come up with a ridiculous offer.

"We know how they work and Sunderland would then reinvest that money somewhere else. But, as I say, it would have to be a ridiculous offer to sell.

"They know there is a lot of interest in Patterson, and should Sunderland not get promoted to the Premier League this season, then I could very much see that Patterson would be very much on his way to a Premier League from Sunderland."

Matty Young's Sunderland future and pathway past Patterson

Nixon has also reported that the Black Cats would be willing to sell their academy product if Man City offer them the right price for Young. However, the long-term planning with Patterson is also worth considering.

A highly talented goalkeeper who has previously been linked with Manchester United, perhaps Patterson could be on the move by next summer, especially if Sunderland remain a second tier side again, with many of their young stars capable of making the step up to the top-flight.

It would come as a blow for the Black Cats if they lose both their current young stoppers, but especially a potential successor in Young, who could be keen to join up with Guardiola and co. over the course of the next few seasons himself if he kicks on in his development.