---
title: "Sunderland: Black Cats in driving seat to sign Luke Chapman"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-luke-chapman-transfer-report/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-08-20T18:30:48Z"
modified: "2020-08-20T18:30:48Z"
---

# Sunderland: Black Cats in driving seat to sign Luke Chapman

**Sunderland are leading the race to sign former Hartlepool striker Luke Chapman, according to an exclusive from [TEAMtalk.](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-sunderland-favourites-sign-striker-luke-chapman)**

The Wearsiders are set to have a summer of change after missing out on promotion for a second successive season, finishing eighth in the League One table.

Both at first team and academy level, fans of the club can expect plenty of upheaval; and the underage ranks have already seen some significant changes, with Sam Wilding, Bobby Beaumont and Vinnie Steels all [joining](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/sunderland-academy-signings-wilding-beaumont-steels/) the under-23 side under Elliot Dickman.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

With those players coming in to strengthen Sunderland’s underage side, another potential arrival has emerged in the shape of Chapman.

The 17-year-old striker was in good form last season for Hartlepool’s under-18 side, [netting a hat-trick against Boston United](https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/chapman-hits-treble-in-youth-team-win/), and interest from a plethora of clubs has since emerged, with Newcastle United and Leeds United also both [keen.](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-leeds-wolves-hartlepool-youth-cull)

Available on a free transfer due to the closure of Hartlepool’s academy, the youngster would be expected to spend time with Dickman’s under-23 side before potentially progressing to the first team at the Stadium of Light.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

The report from [TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-sunderland-favourites-sign-striker-luke-chapman) also claims that Chapman has already been training with the Black Cats upon a potential move and it seems like a promising signing.

If Premier League clubs like Leeds and Sunderland’s rivals Newcastle are interested, why not make a statement and beat them to a player who seems to have plenty of promise.

***Do you think Chapman will arrive at Sunderland and could he make an impact? Let us know your views in the comments section below…***