Sunderland look likely to bring in a new centre-back this summer.
The Black Cats brought in Jenson Seelt and Nectarios Triantis last summer, but with the former likely to be sidelined until the end of the year, they have been left with limited options.
Triantis could well be sent out on loan again after failing to break into the senior team, while the likes of Leo Hjelde and Aji Alese are the only current back-up options.
Sunderland failed to bring in a replacement for Danny Batth last summer, who was controversially released despite being named their Player of the Year.
The defender picked up 13 clean sheets as he helped the Wearside outfit reach the Championship play-offs at the first time of asking, but was then let go as the club looked to invest in youth.
Batth went onto join Norwich City, but managed only five starts in the second tier before he found himself without a club again.
Danny Batth is now ‘in talks’ with Championship outfit
The 33-year-old now looks to be closing in on a return to the Championship, with Blackburn Rovers reigniting their interest.
Journalist Elliott Jackson wrote on X: “Understand #Rovers have held talks with Danny Batth about a move to Ewood Park. Free agent after leaving Norwich. A deal was agreed last summer but fell apart due to Venky’s issues. Eustace and player thought to be keen the move.”
Batth will be a quality addition to Blackburn’s backline next season, with the club having finished three points behind Sunderland last time out.
Rovers conceded the third-most goals in the Championship last term, but there is no doubting that Batth will help patch up the leaks in their backline.
Sunderland should regret releasing their Player of the Year
The veteran was one of Sunderland’s most important players on their return to the second division and the club made a huge mistake in letting him go.
Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien formed a powerful partnership for most of the year, but their absence left a huge hole in the backline, with neither Seelt or Triantis able to fill the boots left by Batth.
It was one of many mistakes the club made last summer, and it would be interesting to know if they would have done the same again now, having realised the problems they had caused themselves.
Sunderland fans will wish Batth well if he moves to Ewood Park, but it will be bittersweet if he really proves he is still capable of what he did at the Stadium of Light for a year-and-a-half.
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