Premier League side Chelsea's stance has been revealed on Nathan Baxter, it could impact Sunderland's transfer business. 

What's the talk?

According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Chelsea have decided that they will be loaning goalkeeper Nathan Baxter out for the 2021/22 campaign. Baxter played for Accrington Stanley on loan in League One in the season just gone.

Nixon has claimed that Championship side Hull and League One Sunderland are both interested in a possible deal for Baxter. This comes after Football Insider reported earlier this month that Sunderland are keen on a loan or permanent swoop for Baxter this summer as they look to build a squad capable of securing promotion out of the third tier.

In the summer of 2020, an insider at Chelsea labelled Baxter as a player with “real talent”. They told The Sun, as relayed by the Derby Telegraph:

"This kid has got real talent, and Derby and Birmingham are both really keen."

Speakman must act now

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman must act now to seal a deal for Baxter with Chelsea's stance on his situation clear.

The Blues are ready to loan him out and Sunderland must pounce on the opportunity to snap him up on a temporary deal this summer. Baxter is under contract at Chelsea until 2023 and Sunderland could be in a strong position to negotiate a permanent deal for him in 2022 as he would be heading into the final year of his deal unless the Premier League side pins him down to an extension in the intervening period.

The £3k-per-week shot-stopper has proven that he has the quality to be a reliable option at League One level.

In 16 starts for Accrington Stanley, Baxter kept seven clean sheets and let in 14 goals - less than a goal per game. Baxter has also played in League Two, for Yeovil, and in the Scottish Premiership, for Ross County, in his career so far despite his young age. This shows that he has the pedigree to come in and have a decent chance of succeeding at the Stadium of Light.

There is a gap in Lee Johnson's squad for a goalkeeper to come in. Remi Matthews is due to leave at the end of the month and that will leave Lee Burge as the only senior stopper at the club.

Baxter could, therefore, come in and challenge Burge for the number one jersey next season. This would be a boost for Johnson as he'll possess two 'keepers battling it out and pushing each other on to improve in order to land the starting role week-in-week-out in League One. So, Speakman needs to pounce on this chance to sign Baxter on loan.

AND in other news, Major update emerges on “excellent” Sunderland target that will leave fans buzzing...