Sources: Sunderland in advanced talks to sign Leeds star Huggins
Sunderland are in advanced talks to sign Leeds United rising star Niall Huggins, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The Black Cats have made a formal move for the versatile full-back, 20, after this site revealed in June he had been told by United he could leave the club this summer.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider that Sunderland are closing in on the permanent capture of Huggins following extensive talks.
The two clubs are expected to reach an agreement over a six-figure fee.
Huggins is now in line to move on even though he penned an improved three-year deal last December running until 2023.
That appeared to signal the youngster was regarded as capable of forcing his move into Marcelo Bielsa's first-team plans.
But Leeds decided to listen to offers for the home-grown talent and he is now set to leave after making just a single first-team appearance.
That came for Leeds as a second-half substitute in February's 4-2 Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
Huggins played the last 37 minutes of the match at right-back.
He is now expected to reach an agreement with Sunderland, who are vying for League One promotion this season.
Huggins has been capped by Wales at Under-21 level and made 17 appearances for the Whites' Under-23s last term.
Manager Lee Johnson has overseen a fine start to the new campaign in which his side have won two of their three league matches.
They suffered their first defeat last night with a surprise 1-0 loss at Burton Albion.