Sunderland academy player Mason Cotcher has made headlines on Wearside this weekend with interest from clubs further up the pecking order to the Black Cats.
Cotcher is (as things stand) a Sunderland and England youth international who plays primarily up-front.
Cotcher is now eligible to sign a professional contract and Sunderland had been keen to retain the player’s services.
Though Sunderland were open to Cotcher coming back into the fold had there been a change of heart, they became increasingly resigned to his departure as the striker weighed up his options elsewhere.
The short answer is, buy and large, yes… with some nuance. Sunderland have managed to retain several highly-rated young stars amid interest from elsewhere – including 16-year-old Chris Rigg, who has committed to a scholarship deal.
Tom Watson, 17, has also signed a professional deal at the Stadium of Light amid suggestions he could move on during the summer window.
However, Sunderland also saw young goalkeeper Toby Bell swap Wearside for Chelsea last summer.
Youngsters Matty Young, Ben Metcalf and Trey Ogunsuyi have all signed scholarship deals at Sunderland, though, despite serious interest from Premier League clubs.
Dan Parker also had interest from the top-flight in the form of Everton but has remained at the Academy of Light alongside his scholarship peers.
