Dan Ballard, a defender for Sunderland, is drawing attention in advance of the January transfer window.
Ballard moved to the Black Cats from Arsenal last summer, and after assisting his team in last season’s play-off run for the Championship, he has had a strong start to the new season.
The 24-year-old has started each league game thus far for Tony Mowbray’s team and has two goals in 11 games to go along with four clean sheets.
Ballard has received high praise from Mowbray, who called him a “diamond” following his performance as Man of the Match in the victory over Blackburn Rovers last month.
“He’s an outstanding defender, he’s a brilliant footballer,” Mowbray told The Northern Echo.
“I say we’re lucky to have him, but it was brilliant recruitment to bring Dan Ballard to this football club.
“He’s a diamond of a lad. I’m not sure where his ceiling is but he’s a wonderful footballer and an old-school centre-half who puts his body on the line.
“And if he plays against a really strong player, he just gets stronger himself. He reacts to what’s in front of him. He needed to be good (at Blackburn) against a good team. He’s a warrior, amazing really.”
Ballard allegedly attracted interest from West Ham United this summer, but he signed a new four-year deal in August that will keep him at the Stadium of Light through the summer of 2027.
The Northern Ireland international has once more been connected with a transfer away from Sunderland despite only recently pledging his future to the team.
Will Dan Ballard leave Sunderland in January?
Journalist Alan Nixon claims that Burnley is “making checks” on Ballard in preparation for the January transfer window.
Ballard turned down a transfer to Turf Moor to sign for Sunderland last summer, but it appears that Kompany has changed his mind after his team’s subpar start to life in the Premier League.
With only four points from their first eight games and 20 goals allowed thus far, the Clarets are currently 18th in the top division.
Burnley has shown interest in other Black Cats players besides Ballard; last summer, the Clarets had four bids for winger Jack Clarke rejected, the last of which was over £10 million.
The Black Cats are reportedly wanting a “big fee” for Ballard, and because Burnley declined to match Clarke’s appraisal of roughly £15 million, money may once again be an issue.
According to analyst Carlton Palmer, who spoke exclusively to Football League World, Sunderland would consider selling Ballard if they receive a bid between £10 million and £15 million.
“Tony Mowbray will be bracing himself for another nervy transfer window for Sunderland in January, with several clubs looking to buy his talented youngsters,” Palmer said.
“Another young player attracting attention is Dan Ballard, the Northern Ireland centre-back – Ballard signed a new long-term contract (in August) at Sunderland, keeping him there until the summer of 2027, and he’s had an impressive start to the season having spent much of last season injured.
“Any offers of £10 million to £15 million could force Sunderland’s hand.
“Tony Mowbray is hoping to keep all of his talented players, sat in fourth place in the Championship and will be hoping to at least secure a play-off place for the second season in a row.”Sunderland will be exceedingly reluctant to lose Ballard in January as they aim for another top-six finish, but their fortitude may be put to the test.
