Young goalkeeper Ben Alnwick has handed in a transfer request as specualtion of interest from Spurs increases.
The England under-19 international looks set to leave Wearside despite having signed a two-year contract extension in March last year, tying him to the club until the summer of 2008.
An injury to first-choice Thomas Myhre saw Alnwick make his debut in April 2005 and he impressed during Sunderland’s final three games of the season as they secured the Championship title and promotion.
And despite forcing out Kelvin Davis for number one spot during a five-game run in November, Davis regained his place for the rest of Sunderland’s torrid season and Alnwick has expressed his wish to leave the club.
The youngster’s decision seems somewhat odd bearing in mind the club is currently in negotiations with Niall Quinn and private investors to takeover the club. With a new man in charge, Alnwick would be given every opportunity to fight for the number one jersey. And with the club in the Championship and Kelvin Davis anything but an automatic choice, Alnwick would have every chance of becoming Sunderland’s first choice goalkeeper.
Should he choose to join Tottenham however, he will undoubtedly find it harder to displace current England number one Paul Robinson.
But while one promising goalkeeper looks set to leave, another is set to stay as Trevor Carson has agreed terms on a one-year deal.
With Alnwick set to leave, it could well mean that the Northern Ireland youth international could become Sunderland’s number two next season.
And wouldn’t it be ironic should Carson find himself in the side next season as Alnwick watches another game from the comfort of the White Hart Lane bench.
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do u think u will be able too keep calvin?
hope not!
Don’t know enough about this alnwick to say if we want him or not but no-one is going to get in front of Englands no1
looks a bit like the king too
I imagine alot of comings and goings over the summer, as you try and rebuild, for next season.
Do you not think that you are being presumptious in saying that a new man would give him every chance to prove himself? He might equally, just say that he doesn’t rate him. If i was in the young lads shoes and spurs were after me, i’d go for it big time.
Me 2
i saw him at the lane last november, good little keeper, saved keano’s pen if i remember correctly?