Sunderland could be set to lose another academy graduate to a Premier League club this summer.
Sunderland lost teenage sensation Josh Robertson to Brighton & Hove Albion in January, while they have also cut ties with the likes of Sam Greenwood and Joe Hugill in recent years.
The Black Cats have enjoyed great success from their academy over the last decade or so, but have so far struggled to earn decent fees for their departures.
They now face losing another of their promising youngsters in Oli Bainbridge, with journalist Alan Nixon claiming that Everton are ‘keeping an eye’ on him ahead of the summer.
Nixon said via his Patreon: “Everton are keeping an eye on Sunderland’s promising teenage left back Oli Bainbridge.
“Goodison spies are checking on the powerful young defender who is tipped to get into the Black Cats side before the end of the season.
“Bainbridge signed a deal with Sunderland last summer but could yet be snatched away for a sensible fee.”
The 18-year-old has risen up through the ranks on Wearside and netted six goals in 16 games for the U18s last term, while he was named on the bench for the first time against QPR this weekend.
Could Sunderland lose another academy product?
Bainbridge put pen to paper on a new contract in the summer, but the Toffees could prove to be a tempting offer if they want to bring him to the Premier League.
Everton memorably snapped up Jordan Pickford from Sunderland in 2017 and have a history of bringing through some excellent players from their academy, with the likes of Ross Barkley and Anthony Gordon enjoying breakthroughs at Goodison Park in recent years.
Bainbridge could see Everton as a positive place to progress his career, but like Nixon mentions, the youngster is thought to be on the verge of making his own breakthrough at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland‘s recent injury woes in their backline could lead Mike Dodds to landing Bainbridge his chance, and if he can impress then there is no reason why he can’t establish himself in the first team next season.
While Everton could face Championship football themselves later this year, it seems unlikely that Bainbridge would be given a chance under Sean Dyche anytime soon.
With the teenager only signing a new contract last year, the Black Cats would surely hope to make a decent fee if he was to leave though. The Wearside outfit are likely to have to invest heavily in the squad this summer, with the likes of Jack Clarke and Dan Ballard linked with their own moves to the top flight.