says reporter: Sunderland man attracting growing interest from Southampton and Celtic,

Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts is attracting growing interest from Southampton and Celtic, reports Alan Nixon.

Sunderland could face a battle to keep hold of the attacker between now and the end of the transfer window

Roberts, 26, has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Stadium of Light and his long-term future with Tony Mowbray’s side is up in the air at the moment.

Reporter Nixon has claimed on his Patreon page that Southampton and Celtic are interested in luring him away from the North East.

Sunderland face battle

Roberts is a big player for Sunderland on the wing and they will be desperate to keep hold of him. He played a key role in them getting into the play-offs in the last campaign as they lost over two legs at the semi-finals stage to eventual winners Luton Town.

The fact his deal expires in June 2024 mean the Black Cats risk losing him for free in 12 months unless they cash in on him now or in January, assuming he doesn’t put pen-to-paper on an extension in the meantime.

Roberts joined the club back in 2022 and has since made 65 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with seven goals. He helped them gain promotion from League One in his first term.

He rose up through the youth ranks at Fulham before he was snapped up by Manchester City as a youngster in 2015. However, he struggled for game time during his spell at the Etihad Stadium and was shipped out on loan to Girona, Norwich City, Middlesbrough, Derby County, Troyes and Celtic to get experience.

The latter took him for three seasons in the end and are now being linked with a swoop. However, the Hoops may have to fend off competition from Southampton if they are to bring him back to Glasgow.