Tottenham and Crystal Palace are reportedly among the clubs keeping tabs on Sunderland’s midfield prospect Dan Neil.
According to a report from Football Insider, Sunderland are facing a battle to keep hold of Dan Neil this summer. The 20-year-old English midfielder is starting to attract interest from Premier League clubs, with many expecting him to leave the Stadium of Light at the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs keeping close tabs on the youngster’s situation at Sunderland, with a summer move potentially in the sights. They could face stiff competition from their London rivals Crystal Palace, who are also keen on securing the services of the 20-year-old.
A central midfielder by trade, Neil is regarded as one of the most talented prospects to come out of the Sunderland youth academy in recent years. After earning his promotion to the senior side last summer, the youngster has gone on to make 38 league appearances this season, becoming an ever-present figure in the club’s midfield unit.
Neil’s tally of three goals and seven assists is indicative of his creative influence in the middle of the park. The 20-year-old is quite a versatile operator as well, with the youngster capable of playing in an attacking or even a withdrawn role.
The English midfield prospect’s unquestionable talent and his performances in the Championship have not gone unnoticed, with Tottenham in the fray to snap him up in the summer.
Having lost a few star players in January, the Lilywhites are in the market for a creative midfielder. Tottenham are in contention to bring back former star Christian Eriksen, but the addition of a talented prospect like Dan Neil could add more depth to Antonio Conte’s squad.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are on the hunt for a new midfielder as well. The Eagles are poised to lose Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher, who is set to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. Signing an inexperienced option like Neil could be a gamble, but given the way how Patrick Vieira has been able to nurture young talents, it is a risk worth taking for Crystal Palace.
The player himself could indeed fancy a move to Crystal Palace and become a part of Vieira’s intriguing project that revolves around young players. Tottenham might not be a bad option either, so it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Sunderland starlet this summer.
