An update has emerged regarding Sunderland's interest in signing Ravel Morrison in the summer transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to Football Insider, the Black Cats are eyeing up a move for the 29-year-old as Kristjaan Speakman looks to improve the squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The report claims that Preston North End and Huddersfield are prepared to challenge Alex Neil's men for the midfielder's signature.

His contract with League One side Derby County expires at the end of next week and he is set to leave Wayne Rooney's team on a free transfer.

Alex Pritchard 2.0

By securing a deal to sign Morrison this summer, Speakman could land Neil another Alex Pritchard to select in Sunderland's midfield next season.

The Black Cats snapped up the former Norwich player on a free transfer from Huddersfield last year and he enjoyed a sublime debut season in red and white.

In the 2021/22 League One campaign, Pritchard produced four goals and nine assists from attacking midfield, creating nine 'big chances' for his team-mates and making two key passes per match. He set up both goals in the 2-0 win in the play-off final at Wembley against Wycombe, teeing up Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart to fire their team back into the Championship.

Sunderland can now repeat that masterclass by striking a move for Morrison in a similar deal to the one which brought Pritchard to the Stadium of Light.

The Derby playmaker started 26 games in the Championship last term and was directly involved in eight goals, with four strikes and four assists.

Rio Ferdinand previously quoted Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder as saying: "Rav – unpredictable, maverick, humble, a natural, and frustrating."

These quotes suggest that the 20-year-old will be an exciting player for the fans to watch, as he takes risks with the ball and can entertain the crowd with his unpredictability in possession.

The £4.7k-per-week maestro created six 'big chances' in total and made one key pass per match in the division above the one in which Pritchard was playing last season, showing that he has the ability to make things happen in the final third at that level.

Morrison is a proven Championship performer who could slot into Sunderland's starting XI and have an immediate impact, much like the former Tottenham man did in League One in 2021/22.

It is now over to Speakman to convince the former Manchester United gem that a move to Wearside is the best next step for him ahead of the likes of Preston and Huddersfield.

AND in other news, Huge Sunderland behind-the-scenes development emerges, supporters will be buzzing...