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Photo by Ivan Yordanov/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Ivan Yordanov/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Report: English club leading race for ‘outstanding’ Arsenal international, they believe they can sign him

Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte

Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard has been link💯ed with a permanent move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer.

However, the Gunners talent’s move to Burnley fell thrꦯough, which has let other clubs back in🦩to the race.

Now, accord🅺ing to , the Arsenal centr🀅e-back is on the radar of Sunderland, who have stepped up their interest.

Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Ballard’s proposed move to Turf Moor broke down as the two sides failed to agree personal te💖rms.

And the Black Cats are now app💝arently leading the race to 🐈bring the Arsenal talent to the Stadium of Light.

While the likes of Blackpool and Millwall are also 🍎eyeing Ballaไrd, Sunderland are hopeful they can sign him, added the report.

Ballard joined Arsenal aged eight and worked his w🐬ay through the ranks, shining for the Under-18s and then the Under-23s.

He has 👍taken in three loan spells, playing for Swiꩲndon, Blackpool and Millwall.

Bal⛎lard played 30 games and score😼d two goals for the Tangerines.

The “outstanding” player helped them secur🤡e promotion from League One via the playoffs in 2021.

And last season, the Guꦫnners gem made 32 appearances for the Lions, scoring once.

Ballard has also become a Nor🃏thern Irelan🐈d international, with 16 caps to his name.

“I’m just so proud of him”

Earlier this season, 💟Per Mertesacker expressed his pride at seeing Ballard’s development at Arsenal.

“You get players like Dan Ballard, whose development we are really proud of,” the Gꦓunners academy manager told the Arsenal .

“He was nearly released twice. To come 𓃲back, work his way up and create a pathway for himself – I’m just so proud of him.

“He🔯’s now a reliable defender, playing international football for Northern Ireland and scoring for Millwall in the Championship. It’s brilliant to see.

“Th🔴at’s an example of staircasing – taking your time in our system, because there will be a pathway for you ꦜif you perform at the right time.”