Exclusive:Kevin Phillips names 'quality' player Sunderland 'cannot afford' to sell amid Man Utd transfer links

Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has claimed that it is “hugely important” for the Black Cats to keep hold of midfielder Noah Sadiki amid ongoing transfer speculation linking Manchester United with the player.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a real success story of Sunderland’s long-awaited return to the Premier League, signing from Union Saint-Gilloise over the summer and going on to establish himself as a key member of Regis Le Bris’ starting XI on Wearside.

Indeed, Sadiki’s performances have been so impressive that he has reportedly piqued the interest of transfer chiefs at Old Trafford, but speaking exclusively to The Echo, courtesy of BestBettingSites, Phillips has emphasised the significance of his former club fending off any advances for the DR Congo international.

What has Kevin Phillips said about Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki?

The pundit said: “First and foremost, it’s hugely important that Sunderland keep hold of him. He’s been one of their most influential players, most key players alongside [Granit] Xhaka for the season. And now he’s back from the AFCON, he’s probably even more important now because they did miss him. So it just shows what type of player he is. That engine in the midfield.

“So it would take an incredible offer to try to even tempt Sunderland to let go of him. There’s not even a thought in their mind about letting him go. He’s a player that Sunderland certainly cannot afford to let leave. He’s a quality midfielder. He’s shown that. He almost reminds me of players who have played in the Premier League in that position over the years. [N’Golo] Kante notably at Leicester, a similar kind of build, a similar kind of player. So, certainly a player that’s got a huge future in front of him.”

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What else has been said about Manchester United’s hopes of signing Noah Sadiki?

In a recent interview, journalist Pete O’Rourke insisted that United will almost certainly fall short in their efforts to prise Sadiki away from the Stadium of Light any time soon. Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I think it’s going to be nigh-on impossible to get him out, especially in this January window.

“There’s no chance that Sunderland would even contemplate letting Sadiki go. He has been a major success for the Black Cats since his arrival from Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium. He’s been a regular starter for Regis Le Bris and has been instrumental to Sunderland’s superb form in their first season back in the Premier League. Sunderland are an ambitious club. They don’t want to be losing or selling any of their top players, and he is under a long-term contract until 2030.

“So yeah, I don’t think Manchester United will have much hope of persuading Sunderland to do business for Sadiki. They want to build on their success this season. They’ll be looking to strengthen again in the summer and go again. So, I think with the ambitious plans that Sunderland have got, they won’t want to be losing players like Sadiki. I don’t think United have got much hope of landing him, definitely not in this window. And again, as I said, Sunderland will do everything they can to keep hold of the player next summer and beyond.“

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