Exclusive: Wolves pushing to sign 26-cap defender who's a 'natural leader' with five other PL clubs also keen
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TBR Football can reveal that Sunderland are facing a battle to hang on to Daniel Ballard in January.
A host of Premier League clubs are tracking the former Arsenal trainee, who has shone since joining the Black Cats in 2022.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are understood to be pushing for possible deal for the 25-year-old central defender, but they are not alone in their admiration.
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Wolves up against Aston Villa, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Newcastle for Daniel Ballard
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has been informed that Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Fulham have also been watching Daniel Ballard.
Likewise, Sunderland’s local rivals Newcastle United have also scouted the Northern Ireland international this season.
Ballard has made 11 Championship appearances for Sunderland this season and has started their last six league games after recovering from an ankle injury.
His efforts have helped the Black Cats into the play-off places and just five points behind leaders Sheffield United.
Wolves are currently 19th in the Premier League table and have just appointed Vitor Pereira as their new head coach after parting company with Gary O’Neil.
Meanwhile, Villa are currently seventh in the Premier League table, Fulham are eighth, Brighton are ninth, Newcastle sit in 12th place and Palace are 15th in the standings.
Daniel Ballard factfile
Ballard is a 25-year-old professional footballer who plies his trade for Sunderland and represents Northern Ireland at international level.
He came through the ranks at Arsenal and took in loans at Swindon, Blackpool at Millwall while on the Gunners’ books, but never made a senior appearance for them.
Arsenal sold Ballard to Sunderland in 2022 and he has made 77 appearances to date for the Wearside outfit, as well as winning 26 Northern Ireland caps.
Ballard has been described by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill as a “natural leader” who “brings a lot” to the squad, as per the Sunderland Echo.
Football Talent Scout previously claimed that “he is very similar to Michael Keane and Harry Maguire” in terms of his style of play.
