Roker Roundup: Steve Bruce circles Sunderland as full back is linked with Championship move

Bruce interested in Matthews?

Steve Bruce has been linked with a move for Sunderland’s Adam Matthews.

Matthews is out of contract at the end of the season and according to former Sky Sports North East reporter Pete O’Rourke, Bruce is determined to take the Welsh international to Hillsborough.

The report claims there are other Championship clubs interested in his services, as well as interest from the Netherlands.

Despite Luke O’Nien making the right back position his own this season, Matthews still made 28 appearances in all competitions but just like the majority of his time at Sunderland, his season was stop-start due to injuries.

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Former duo linked with moves

Manchester United have been linked with a move for former Sunderland left-back Patrick van Aanholt as Ole Gunnar Solksjaer looks to revamp his squad ahead of next season.

According to reports, Solksjaer sees the Dutchman as genuine competition for Luke Shaw and the Red Devils are also interested in his Crystal Palace teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka in a £50m swoop for the duo.

van Aanholt has two-years remaining on his Palace deal after he joined them from Sunderland in a deal worth a reported £14m.

Fraizer Campbell is also drawing interest but from his home town club Huddersfield Town. Campbell is out of contract at Hull City thanks to the club not taking the one-year option they have in the forward’s contract and that has attracted interest from Huddersfield as they look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

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Academy products step up to league football

Two Sunderland academy products have made the step up from non-league football into the professional game by signing for league sides.

Jon Mellish has left Gateshead to join League Two side Carlisle United on a deal that keeps him at Brunton Park until the end of the 2019/20 season. The defender has penned his first professional deal with the Cumbrians and was recently voted the National League Young Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, David Carson has joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a two-year deal from Morpeth Town. Like Mellish, Carson had an excellent season and was named Evo-Stick East player of the season.