Sunderland are leading the race to sign Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard following the breakdown of his proposed move to Burnley. The Northern Ireland defender was expected to join Vincent Kompany's Clarets and he travelled to Lancashire for a medical before the switch foundered over the weekend when the sides could not agree personal terms.
Sunderland were also in the running to sign Ballard and with Burnley now out of the running, they have stepped up their interest in the 22-year-old. The deal is not yet done, with Sunderland's Championship rivals Millwall and Blackpool - both clubs where Ballard has spent loan spells - also understood to be keen on signing him, while there has also been interest from clubs abroad.
But at this stage Sunderland remain hopeful that they can bring him to Wearside. Stevenage-born Ballard joined Arsenal's academy at the age of eight, and while he did not make an appearance for the Gunners he made his senior debut in August 2019 during a loan spell with League Two Swindon Town.
