Premier League strugglers Norwich City are reportedly closing in on Sunderland youngster Bali Mumba. The highly-rated midfielder, who can also play at full-back, is close to joining the Canaries according to Phil Smith of the Sunderland Echo and David Freezer of the Eastern Daily Press.
The report suggests that a deal believed to be worth £500,000 to the Black Cats will also include a number of add-ons. The deal is yet to be finalised; however, it appears, with first-team opportunities limited at the Stadium of Light, Mumba is set to move on.
Norwich Closing in on Sunderland’s Bali Mumba
Academy Product
Bali Mumba is a product of Sunderland’s highly-rated Academy of Light. The academy has produced talents such as England internationals Jordan Henderson and Jordan Pickford in the past. Mumba, in recent seasons, was seen as another exceptional prospect.
When Sunderland were relegated to League One, Mumba began the season under new manager Jack Ross in the first team. However, after starting the first two games of the season, more experienced players were prefered as the Black Cats aimed to gain promotion. Mumba did, however, stay in and around the first-team squad under Ross. This season, his first-team opportunities have been limited to just one EFL Trophy game.
Fans Will Be Disappointed to Lose Bali Mumba
In recent seasons, fans have seen some of the club’s more talented youngsters move on. Several youngsters with a bright future have left of late – two have gone to Manchester United, for example, with several others sadly being allowed to leave.
Due to the recent disruptions in football, transfer funds for those in the lower leagues could be severely restricted. Talented youngsters could be needed more than ever and fans will be sad to see a player who could have played a big part next season leave.
Norwich Could Be Getting a Bargain
At £500,000, Norwich could be getting a bargain in Bali Mumba. The youngster is comfortable in midfield but has also played at right-back many times for Sunderland’s U23 side. Mumba has also featured for England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels. Should he continue to develop as is expected then the Canaries, they will look back on this deal as an exceptional piece of business.
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