Sunderland not alone in pursuing interest in ex-Real Madrid keeper

Reports in the Spanish press yesterday suggested that Sunderland have been scouting Adan, who has been in exceptional form for Betis this season.

It is highly likely that ex-Real Madris stopper Adan – who played against Sunderland in a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2014 – will leave the La Liga outfit in the summer, with a £6.5million release clause in his contract.

But it is understood that no deal is in place yet with any suitors and there are a host of teams keeping tabs on Adan, including Liverpool, who were linked with the 28-year-old earlier this month.

Sunderland will not necessarily be in the market for another keeper if they remain in the top flight this season either, unless Vito Mannone leaves the Stadium of Light.

Sam Allardyce has signalled his intention to keep England Under-21 keeper Jordan Pickford involved in first-team affairs after handing the academy product his debut last month and a new three-year contract.

Even though Pickford has been second-choice behind Mannone since the departure of Costel Pantilimon, the 21-year-old is very much seen as Sunderland’s long-term stopper.

However, Mannone has been given a shown of faith from Allardyce since the January window, with the Sunderland boss restoring the Italian to the starting XI after the 2013-14 Player of the Season had been out of the picture for more than a year.

Mannone has another 16 months to run on his Sunderland contract and shunned the chance to leave the club last month after being handed a second chance.