Florent Ghisolfi guiding Sunderland bid to secure new deal for England youth keeper Matty Young | OneFootball

Sunderland are close to agreeing a new long-term contract with highly rated goalkeeper Matty Young.

Sunderland Echo understands that talks are advanced, with most terms verbally agreed on a four-year deal plus a 12-month option. The agreement is not complete and nothing is final until it is signed.

Young, 19, joined the club aged seven and signed his first professional contract in November 2023. He impressed on loan at Darlington, then spent the past two seasons with Salford City. He has made 75 league appearances for Salford and 89 senior games in all competitions to date.

That exposure has strengthened Sunderland’s belief he has a significant long-term future. He has represented England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 level.

He is not expected to return to Salford for a third loan next season. A new environment at a bigger club, with a larger fanbase and stadium, is viewed as the next step. Plymouth Argyle are thought to be keen, and any move will be chosen to keep him playing regularly at a testing level.

Cardiff City and MK Dons have also been linked with the shot-stopper. Within Sunderland, Robin Roefs is established as number one, Anthony Patterson is weighing a major decision amid outside interest, and Melker Ellborg remains part of the senior group.

The expected new deal would underline the club’s long-term planning under sporting director Florent Ghisolfi. In the short term another loan is likely, but Sunderland view Young as a potential future first-team figure.

Source: Sunderland Echo