Sunderland remain in talks with young free agent pair, but other clubs interested

Sunderland have had youngsters Silko Thomas and Bobby Bjork on trial in recent weeks, and the club remain in negotiations to sign the pair.

Thomas, 19, was let go by Chelsea this summer, and Bjork, 18, was let go by Blackpool.

And both have been on trial with Sunderland in recent weeks with both featuring in a recent friendly game.

But speaking to Chronicle Live, the club's U21 assistant coach John Hewitson has revealed that, whilst the club remain in negations with either players' agents, there is interest from elsewhere in the two.

Hewitson said:

"I think at the moment the club is still in negotiations with agents. I know the boys are talented, our recruitment staff have brought them in, but there's other clubs as well. We're just trying to see where the land lies, if our offers are suitable for them, and hopefully they are.

"They are not with us at this moment in time, with some of them they have been to other clubs, come to us and then wanted to have a look at other places before making their final decision. I think the good thing was they wanted to come to us because they see the pathway and the real opportunity to get into the first team, because we are a club that tries to push the youth which is excellent."

Thomas and Bjork definitely sound like players who would fit Suderland's recruitment model, and like Hewitson says, the club is a very attractive place for younger talents.

Sunderland aren't afraid to promote from within and players like Thomas and Bjork could be playing youth football one season, and first-team football the next.

It's no surprise to see other teams interested - in Thomas especially - and what the summer might hold for either player remains to be seen.

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