Sunderland are ‘in the hunt’ for another centre-back this summer and have joined ‘the race’ to sign Leeds United youngster Charlie Cresswell, claims Chronicle Live journalist Matty Hewitt.

The Lowdown: Ballard’s arrival

After a proposed transfer to Burnley fell through last week, Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard has agreed to join the Black Cats on a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old spent the 2021/22 season on loan in the Championship with Millwall, where he made 30 appearances in the league for the Lions.

Despite never making an appearance for Arsenal’s first-team, the defender has ten international caps for Northern Ireland under his belt and looks like a shrewd signing for Alex Neil’s side.

The Latest: SAFC want another CB

According to Hewitt, Sunderland are also interested in Cresswell, as they look to add another central defender to their ranks.

Taking to Twitter, the journalist claimed: “SAFC are in the hunt for another centre-back this summer and are reportedly in the race to sign LUFC youngster Charlie Cresswell.”

Millwall are also in the mix to bring the Leeds youngster to the second tier.

The Verdict: Great signing

When called upon by Leeds to play for the first-team, Cresswell has fared well. The 19-year-old made five appearances in the Premier League last season, for which he averaged a respectable 6.50 SofaScore match rating.

In fact, after the defender made his debut in the English top-flight, Leeds presenter and podcaster Joe Wainman was full of praise for the youngster (via This Is Futbol): “These centre-backs that are not fit or are looking to come back into the side, they need to be worried, because that boy, for me, was unbelievable and I don’t think he should come out of the side.

“He’s a mainstay now, for me. I thought Cresswell was class, genuinely class.”

With such impressive - albeit brief - experience at the highest level, this could be a great signing for the Black Cats.