West Bromwich and Sunderland make moves to sign £2.5m Premier League striker on…

Sunderland are thinking of offering a deal to Edward Jones – a former West Bromwich Albion and Everton defender.

The ardent policy of young players being pretty much the only type of footballer that the Black Cats want to bring in has been relaxed a bit this summer.

Regis Le Bris previously stated that he was looking to add experience to the Sunderland squad, and that he has done. The arrival of former Preston North End captain Alan Browne was a real sign of the Frenchman’s intent to mix the exciting youth of the current squad with some more knowhow.

Of course, the vision of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus (chairman and owner) and Kristjaan Speakman (sporting director) hasn’t been totally abandoned. Louis-Dreyus reportedly “broke the bank,” and offered teenager Chris Rigg the best first professional contract that the club has ever handed out, as per the Sunderland Echo.

Now they appear to be closing in on the signing of another fresh-faced talent.

The ex-Everton and West Brom centre-back is currently with the Sunderland youth team after being released by the Toffees, and they are reported to be considering offering him a contract, as per the Echo.

He is set to travel with the other non-first team players to Italy for their pre-season tour, where they will face Hellas Verona’s under-18s and the Bologna first team.

However, Jones, who is on trial and has not got an official spot in the squad yet, is going to be with the Black Cats’ under-18s, who will face their equivalents from Inter Milan and Atalanta.

The 19-year-old has been without a club since the end of last season. He was given a professional deal at the start of it by Everton, but it was only a one-year deal and he was let go of by the Merseysiders at the end of it. West Brom were believed to have had him on trial in May, according to the Echo.

Jones played 10 times for his former club in the Premier League 2 last season, as per Sofascore, six of them being starts.