Premier League strugglers Sunderland are keeping tabs on Town centre-half Adam Webster, according to various reports this morning.

The Black Cats are said to see the 21-year-old as a potential replacement for Lamine Koné if the Ivory Coast international moves on to West Ham during the January transfer window.

Sunderland assistant boss Paul Bracewell is reported to have watched Webster in action as Town lost 2-1 at Birmingham on Tuesday, a game in which the former England U18 and U19 international scored his first goal for the Blues.

The Wearsiders’ interest in Webster is said to date back to his time with Portsmouth.

Town boss Mick McCarthy believes the West Wittering-born defender has the potential to play in the top flight.

“I look at the Premier League and some of the defending in there and think, well, if I haven’t got a Premier League centre-half in the making then I’m a Dutchman,” he said last week.

“He’s a good player, whatever he cost he’s a good player. I’m not touting to sell him, we’ve got a very good player.

“And a young one who is still learning. I’m not suggesting he should be going off and playing anywhere else. I think he should be the foundation of what is a pretty good squad of [young] players.”

Webster joined the Blues from Pompey for £700,000 plus Matt Clarke, who joined his former loan club on a permanent basis, in the summer, signing a three-year deal with an option for a further season.

Photo: TWTD

Seasider added 15:49 - Dec 18 Another question for shareholders to put to the 'powers that be' on Wednesday at the AGM. Would probably only get a non committal 'politicians answer'I expect.
1

carsey added 16:12 - Dec 18 Have no fear folks Webster will leave Town sooner rather than later. He is just too good and too much of a footballer for MM. I have doubts about it being Sunderland but if not January certainly I expect him to move on in the summer. Sadly Town are not a destination of choice for really talented players these days so we cannot expect those we do have to hang around.
1

RegencyBlue added 16:31 - Dec 18 I'm no MM fan but lets be honest here. It wont be MM making the decision as to whether to sell or not, it will be our illustrious owner Evans. I can almost hear it now - the offer was too good to turn down, the money will be made available to MM to strengthen the squad blah blah blah blah blah!
5

Cloddyseedbed added 17:08 - Dec 18 He will be sold sooner than he should. Everybody is if they are any good. Nobody ever comes in to take the crap and there is plenty of it, off us! No good players are ever kept to build a team around.........fact.
5

Pencilpete added 19:14 - Dec 18 We'll sell him, bring David Linighan out of retirement to plug the gap and issue yet another cast iron guarantee of activity in future transfer windows
3

wayway added 20:05 - Dec 18 Mark my words, we will be in the same situation as Coventry before too long
0

Brownie added 20:08 - Dec 18 He's done well overall - young player with loads of potential so we shouldnt sell. That said if they bid he will go - ME will sell and in general players will want to go for higher money & PL. Hope he stays and we add some more like him in January. Not sure I would compare him with John Stones though. Another young player who plays from the back & is still learning but Stones has played 100 odd PL & CL games plus quite a few for England!!

3

OwainG1992 added 20:26 - Dec 18 Sunderland have already confirmed they don't have a pot to p*ss in. It's a load of rubbish don't fret.
1

DebenBlue added 21:16 - Dec 18 To those saying Sunderland have no money. Read the Article, they are looking at his as a potential replacement for Kone therefore if Kone goes they will have money.
1

GiveusaWave added 23:08 - Dec 18 We'd certainly make a lot of quick money on him, but he is a Premiership defender and should be worth 10 million...i'd be gutted if we got any less than 6 million for him. Now makes sense why we are looking at Kent and Eastman at Colchester. Neither of which are adequate replacements for Webster. Expect Bart offers during this window, his form has galvanised a lot of attention. Once again, needs to be a hefty offer.

4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:34 - Dec 19 Sad state of affairs; I'm pretty sure Webster was bought to potentially fill the coffers first and foremost, rather than as a long term investment for the team. This seems more and more to be Evans' brief to MM. Pity we can't hang on to our good players, introduce them into a positive environment that would encourage them to stick around a bit longer, and prioritise success on the field. I know the standard reply from our corporate leader will be we have to manage the finances, but maybe we need to look again at how this could be done and what our real priorities as a local football club and important social focal point for the region.

4

Michael11 added 10:26 - Dec 19 Anything less than £10m and a hefty sell on clause then they can get stuffed. He's going to be a star IMO.
3

RaymondovicBlue added 11:00 - Dec 19 So this is why we are looking at a second right back - Chambers moving to the middle alongside SMITH ... o dear ... losing this young prospect spoils many years of a MIGHTY FINE Webster/Smith pairing for us..... Berra starts with "B" ... so does Bench which is where he will be once Tommy gets back to full fitness ... nothing against Christophe, but I honestly think Smith is the better player....

1

AJD1111 added 11:16 - Dec 19 In today's market, I personally wouldn't take anything less than 8 million. Whilst dribbling is hardly the main attribute for a centre back, I have never seen the mazy dribbles that Webster carries out from any other centre back at championship level. At such a young age, there is a very big future for someone with natural pace, skill on the ball and an eye for a forward pass. With the price Mings went for anything equivalent or above and I think we'd take it.

1

Palestine added 11:53 - Dec 19 I think Webster is worth £4m now, and that will likely rise to £6-8m by the summer. But I reckon we would sell him for £2-2.5m. To be honest it wouldn't be the worst business if we kept doing this and unearthing such players from lower leagues then using the extra money to continually improve the squad. But we've seen the last few times that is not really how the club is thinking - it likes to make a profit, but seems less bothered about building a squad that can challenge for promotion, making the whole thing rather academic.

0

SonOfSpock added 13:43 - Dec 19 Most people would want to escape the North East, he wouldn't want to go there voluntarily..
0

rickw added 14:17 - Dec 19 It wouldn't be a good move for anyone this? Sunderland need premier league hardened experienced players for their relegation fight - not promising young defenders still learning their game
1

geminimustang added 14:54 - Dec 19 He should only be sold if all the money would be given to MM and reinvested.No doubt,MM would get a couple of good players in and improve the team.My concern is the money would be thrown into the bottomless pit and not seen.
1

bobble added 23:34 - Dec 19 Shame we couldnt sell the manager for 6 million.
0

Crawfordsboot added 10:29 - Dec 20 Setting aside will he or won't he go Well done Mick and Marcus for signing him to the Town Oops sorry - politically incorrect - McCarthy out!
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls