Sunderland AFC: Liverpool setting sights on January transfer raid for Black Cats player | OneFootball

Liverpool have been linked with a January move involving Sunderland

Liverpool have set their sights on young Sunderland striker Trey Ogunsuyi ahead of the January transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, the Reds are weighing up an offer for the 18-year-old, with the Premier League side targeting moves for the brightest young talent they can scout to bolster their developmental ranks.

The Merseyside outfit are no stranger to raiding their Premier League rivals for their top young talent, and now, their attention has turned to the Stadium of Light, where there is no shortage of exciting young talent coming through the Category One academy.

Liverpool eye move for Sunderland youngster Trey Ogunsuyi

Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on Ogunsuyi as we approach the opening of the January market.

The youngster has yet to make his senior league debut for the Black Cats, but has been involved in a matchday squad in the Championship this season.

He has scored five goals from as many appearances in the Premier League 2 this campaign, as well as 10 goals in 14 outings in all under-21 competitions, emerging as the latest exciting prospect to be developed on Wearside.

Ogunsuyi signed his first professional contract with Sunderland earlier this year in January, tying him down to the club until the summer of 2026, and this will give the Wearside outfit some leverage in any potential negotiations with Liverpool this winter.

It remains to be seen what kind of first team plans Régis Le Bris has for the young forward, but the possibility of joining a Premier League side could be tempting.

Unless the Belgian underage international could be guaranteed upcoming game-time, then he may prefer a move to Anfield for his long-term development prospects.

Liverpool’s Trey Ogunsuyi pursuit puts Sunderland in an interesting position

Sunderland could afford to turn down interest in Ogunsuyi this January and re-evaluate the player’s future in the summer, unless the Reds come in with an offer they just can’t turn down.

The Black Cats have built a reputation as being a great place for young talent to get first-team opportunities, with the likes of Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson flourishing this season, and they may need to rely on that to convince the 18-year-old to want to stay.

Belgian youth forward Ogunsuyi is performing well at underage level, and could be close to a first-team opportunity in Le Bris’ side, especially with the FA Cup third round coming up soon.

But the opportunity to move to Liverpool will be tempting for any teenager, so it will be interesting to see how this one develops as we approach the mid-season window and if Sunderland's resolve is truly tested.