Sunderland, Manchester United and West Ham 'interested in' £12m Leicester defender Ben Nelson | OneFootball

Sunderland are monitoring Leicester City centre-back Ben Nelson amid interest from elsewhere. ExWHUEmployee reports that West Ham United are keen on the 22-year-old, with Manchester United, Sunderland and Torino also credited, and Leicester said to value him at £10m to £12m.

Nelson came through Leicester’s academy and has collected senior minutes on loan. He spent earlier spells with Rochdale and Doncaster Rovers, then joined Oxford United on loan to continue his development in the Championship.

His age, experience and scope to improve appear to suit Sunderland’s recruitment model, which tends to prioritise younger players with resale potential. Any deal could be complicated by rival interest.

Championship club West Ham are said to be weighing defensive options, while Manchester United’s involvement points to the regard in which Nelson is held. Torino could present a route to Italy if Leicester choose to sanction a move.

Sunderland are expected to review several defensive targets this summer as Régis Le Bris and the recruitment team seek to strengthen the squad. For now, Nelson appears to be on the radar rather than the subject of an advanced approach.

Source: Sunderland Echo