Tottenham Hotspur favourites to sign Sunderland teenager Joe Hugill

According to The Sun (h/t Chronicle Live), Tottenham Hotspur are keen on securing the signature of talented Sunderland youngster Joe Hugill.

The 16-year-old has been turning heads in the Premier League since he started representing the Sunderland under-23s. In spite of playing against players older than him, Hugill has scored two goals in two appearances.

Both his goals came against West Ham United in what was eventually a 4-2 loss for the Black Cats. He also impressed for the Under-18 side, for whom he scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup victory against Shrewsbury Town last November.

Hugill is yet to sign his first professional contract with Sunderland and the club could lose him for a nominal amount if he decides to move elsewhere. According to the report, Spurs lead the race for the youngster who has also attracted interest from the likes of Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Joe Hugill scored a hattrick against Shrewsbury Town

Sunderland manager, Elliott Dickman believes that the player still has a lot to learn. He praised the youngster for his performances and revealed that the player will reconnect with the Under-18 side.

He also added that if Hugill keeps impressing, there is no reason why he won’t be brought back into the Under-23 fold again. He appraised the youngster’s potential and admitted that his talent has to be nurtured and protected with care.

“We can’t push him too quickly, but the signs are there that he has good potential.

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Hugill could become the latest young academy talent to leave the Black Cats. Players who have done so before includes Sam Greenwood, who joined Arsenal, and Logan Pye who went to Manchester United. UK employment law limits how much Sunderland can do to stop the departures. Tottenham already have a number of talented youth knocking on the doors of the first-team, adding Hugill will only add to our list of promising talents.