Oulare aware of Sunderland interest

TEENAGE striker Obbi Oulare is aware of Sunderland’s interest, but insists there has been no concrete move for his signature.

As SportMail reported earlier this week, Sunderland were among 17 clubs who watched Club Brugge’s win over Anderlecht at the top of the Belgium League on Sunday night, as planning continues for the Black Cats’ summer recruitment drive.

Belgium Under-21 international Oulare was thought to be the reason behind many of those scouts being in attendance after the 19-year-old’s breakthrough at Brugge this season.

But while Oulare says he has heard about Sunderland keeping tabs on his progress, he does not believe their pursuit has so far progressed any further.

“My dream is to develop and one day play in the best competition in the world, the Premier League,” Oulare told Belgian website DH.

“I have heard that Sunderland and even Manchester United are interested in me.

“But honestly, I have not been made aware of anything.

“I feel in good form.

“I think, without boasting, that I have had a successful season.

“I feel I am making progress on the career path I have set for myself. It’s almost a bonus what has already happened to me.”

Sources in Belgium have suggested that Brugge are unlikely to sell Oulare this summer, with the Belgium side believing they have a huge prospect on their hands.

Brugge hope that if the 6ft 5in Oulare – who has netted six goals in 22 appearances this season – continues his current progress, then he could be worth in excess of £20million in the next couple of years.

Providing they remain in the Premier League, Sunderland will be in the market to boost their attacking options in the summer, despite the January capture of Jermain Defoe.

Only Aston Villa have netted fewer times than the Black Cats in the Premier League this season, with question marks, in particular, over the futures of strike pair Steven Fletcher and Danny Graham, who are both approaching the final 12 months of their contracts.