Sunderland 'in' for ex-Arsenal & Chelsea wonderkid Amani Richards ahead of surprise free transfer

Sunderland are monitoring Leicester City winger Amani Richards as the Black Cats begin a summer rebuild.

Richards was once a target of Newcastle United but the Magpies have not followed up their interest this summer. Richards will be out of contract in June with clubs in Holland, Belgium and Denmark also keen.

The 19-year-old has netted three goals and made five assists for Leicester's second string this season. He signed for Leicester after playing for both Chelsea and Arsenal at youth team level.

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Richards was deemed a hot prospect at Chelsea before the Gunners moved in for his services to hand him a professional deal at 17 after being deemed a wonderkid on the London football circuit. But after being used sparingly with Arsenal's youth teams, Leicester moved in to sign him on a permanent deal.

Sunderland interim boss Mike Dodds has spoken about summer recruitment with the Wearsiders' season winding down to a mid-table finish. Dodds said: "Obviously in terms of the summer, we're going to have to look at the squad because there are areas we need to be better with when you compare this season to last, you can't hide away from that fact.

"It's been a second season in the division and there's a lot that has happened in terms of turnover of players and head coaches, so we will need to take stock and see where we can be better."