"Look at Jack Clarke" - Pundit backs Sunderland AFC to sign Celtic player | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer believes that the Black Cats' great track record with young players could work in their favour to sign Daniel Cummings

Ex-England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Sunderland's trust in youth players could make them favourites to sign Celtic starlet Daniel Cummings, amid rumours of the Black Cats' interest in his services.

Sunderland have been the Championship's surprise package so far this term, and will be anticipating a key January transfer window where they will want to make small adjustments to their squad in order to keep up their automatic promotion challenge.

Regis Le Bris' side have had little trouble in front of goal this season, but according to Football Insider, the Black Cats, alongside fellow Championship high-flyers Burnley, as well as Wolves, Fulham and Ipswich Town have watched in-form Celtic youth striker Cummings in recent weeks ahead of a potential approach to the Scottish champions.

Cummings is just 18-years-old, and has been prolific for the Bhoys' youth teams in years gone by, so his youth and potential mean he could be a perfect fit for the Black Cats, given their faith in youngsters and track record of helping to develop upcoming players.

Carlton Palmer backs Sunderland to seal Daniel Cummings deal

Glasgow-born Cummings has been in Celtic's youth ranks since a young age, and while he is yet to make his professional debut for his boyhood club, his impressive progression through the youth ranks has made him one of Scotland's most highly-rated young players right now.

The 18-year-old has bagged 22 goals in 20 youth games this season, including five strikes in as many UEFA Youth League games after a winner against Club Brugge on Wednesday.

Celtic's biggest issue is that Cummings is out of contract next summer, after he signed his first professional contract with Celtic in July 2022, and so could leave the club for a minimal fee soon, with cross-border compensation set at just €310,000.

Sunderland's scouts were present to see him score last time out, and former player and current pundit Palmer believes that the trust and development given to young players at the Stadium of Light could make the Black Cats favourites for his signature, if the opportunity arises to sign him soon.

He said: “Daniel Cummings has been outstanding for Celtic. He’s been prolific for their B team, which is the fifth-tier in Scotland.

“Obviously, the way that Sunderland are, they bring in young players. We’ve seen that they give them the opportunities, and then sell them on for big money.

“I think Sunderland would be a good move for him. He wants to go to a club where he is going to play too, so I think the Black Cats could be the favourites to sign him.

“Daniel would be a good fit for the club, when you look at the players that have come on there. Look at Jack Clarke, the way he flourished at Sunderland when given the opportunity.

“I think it could be a good move (to Sunderland), but there are a lot of other clubs who also look interested in his services.

“(Cummings is a) very, very good player, and we can’t rule out that he may sign a new contract at Celtic.

“I can’t imagine that Celtic would want to let him go, but it is getting really close to January now, so they have got to get a deal in place quickly.”

Sunderland are reaping the rewards of their faith in young players

Regis Le Bris has outperformed all expectations set for him so far this season, from when he took over as Sunderland boss in the summer, and his squad is littered with young talents that are sure to go on to achieve great things in football in the years to come.

17-year-old midfielder Chris Rigg has been a key beneficiary of the Black Cats' faith in youth players over the last few years, and his performances have gone up another level altogether this season, with recent links with a move to the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, as well asManchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

Jobe Bellingham is another who has been a mainstay in the middle of the park for Sunderland so far in their great start to the new term, and his valuation has been quoted at around 25 million euros, amid reported interest from German giants Borussia Dortmund in his signature.

The likes of 22-year-old Dennis Cirkin, 22-year-old Trai Hume, 22-year-old Dan Neil, 21-year-old Romaine Mundle, and 19-year-old Eliezer Mayenda have all played important parts in the Black Cats' rise to the top this season too, so it is pretty clear just how beneficial it can be for a young player to move to Sunderland, and more importantly, play under Le Bris.

It is unclear whether the Wearside outfit are readying a move for Celtic frontman Cummings in either the new year or next summer, but even though they look set to face competition from some top-flight teams for his services, they will certainly feel like they can offer the 18-year-old the best chance for opportunities at senior level going forward.