SUNDERLAND want Manchester City kid Charlie Gray to fill Jobe Bellingham’s boots.
Talented midfielder Gray, 19, has a year left on his City contract and may look to move on for the chance of a first-team spot with the Premier League new boys.
He has been on City’s books since he was just eight and is yet to make his senior debut.
The teenager helped the club’s Under-21s win both the league and play-off phase of the Premier League 2 last season.
Described as a “calm, ball-playing defensive midfielder”, he also caught the eye in the youth Champions League as City reached the quarter-finals.
Gray could follow in the footsteps of stars such as Romeo Lavia, Jadon Sancho and Jeremie Frimpong in leaving Manchester for senior football without a Prem appearance to their name.
It comes amid Bellingham departing Sunderland despite their promotion back to the top-flight.
Jobe, 19, is set to join Borussia Dortmund in a move that sees him take the same path as his brother Jude, 21.
The German giants recently sent a delegation to England for talks over a deal.
It has been reported that Sunderland want a fee of £25million for Bellingham.
He could become the second wonderkid to leave the Stadium of Light after play-off final hero Tom Watson joined Brighton for £10m.
Meanwhile, the Black Cats are ready to offer their homegrown star Chris Rigg, 17, an improved contract.
But keeper coach Tom Weal has made a shock exit to rejoin old club MK Dons.
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