Patrick Roberts could be set for his seventh temporary move in as many years, as Sky Sports (h/t Sunderland Echo) say Sunderland are closing in on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old is currently at ESTAC Troyes until the end of the campaign but could be cutting the move short as he’s struggling for playing time – Roberts has made just two appearances for Troyes and no longer makes the matchday squad.
Roberts could be spending the next four months at Sunderland, but he won’t be returning to Manchester City after his loan deal is up as his contract also expiring this summer.
The former England youth international joined City from Fulham in 2015 and has gone on to make three appearances in all competitions, amassing just 54 minutes of football. He’s been loaned out to Celtic, Girona, Norwich City, Middlesbrough, Derby County and Troyes.
Roberts has struggled for opportunities at the Etihad Stadium as Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez stand in his way of playing time.
The fact Sunderland of League One are loaning him for the remainder of the season suggests Roberts isn’t on the level to play under Pep Guardiola either, so it’s hard to see a new deal coming his way to keep him at City beyond 2022.
In other news, some fans praise ‘class’ Man City midfielder after ‘unreal’ performance