Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham has delivered his verdict on the Sunderland pursuit of striker Troy Parrott.
The lowdown: Rising star
A product of the youth system in north London having arrived from his homeland in 2017, Parrott has spent time on loan at Millwall, Ipswich Town and most recently MK Dons where he scored and assisted against the Black Cats during the 2021/22 campaign.
The 20-year-old is already a fully-fledged senior Republic of Ireland international and has made four first-team outings for Tottenham to add to a stellar youth career that has seen the talented frontman score 31 times in 38 appearances across various levels.
Despite being part of the squad on a pre-season tour in South Korea, Parrott is expected to be sent out on another loan in order to continue his development, and one well-informed onlooker has suggested that Sunderland could be set to win the race...
The latest: 'Send him to Sunderland'
Speaking to Football Insider, Wenham, described as a Spurs 'insider' who regularly breaks news about the club on Lilywhite Rose social media, claimed that the 15-cap star could be about to follow Jack Clarke to the North East.
He said: “I can see Tory Parrott going to Sunderland. I know Sunderland do have interest in him. They have a big Scottish striker at the moment but the beauty of Troy is that he can drop in as a 10.
“He would get a lot of game time there. Sunderland are a very big, well-supported club and I think Troy would thrive off that audience, that crowd. It would be a very good signing for them. He would be linking up with some of his friends in Jack Clarke and Dennis Cirkin.
“I know they have lost Nathan Broadhead from Everton, they have not been able to bring him back. If we could get Troy there, playing every week, that would be good. I know Middlesbrough are also interested but personally, I would send him to Sunderland.”
The verdict: Hopeful
Upon making an eagerly anticipated return to the Championship, Alex Neil has wasted little time in bolstering the Stadium of Light ranks with the captures of Arsenal starlet Daniel Ballard, Union Berlin forward Leon Dajaku and of course Clarke on a permanent basis from Tottenham.
Albeit mainly in youth football, signing a proven goal-getter in Parrott - who was hailed as an 'exceptional player' by ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson whilst on loan at Millwall - would be another indication of intent from Sunderland as the standalone firepower of Ross Stewart is strengthened.
Furthermore, potentially arriving on a deal ahead of league rivals Middlesbrough, landing the £4.5million valued frontman would be a feather in the cap for the remaining pulling power at the club, whilst also keeping money in the coffers for Neil to bolster other areas of the squad.