Sunderland’s highly rated young centre-back Zak Johnson is set to be a man in demand this summer, with a trio of clubs all keen on landing the 21-year-old. Despite being held in lofty regard on Wearside, opportunities to break into the Black Cats’ first team have become increasingly difficult for Johnson following the club’s recent transfer activity and their surprising Europa League qualification.
His considerable stock was raised further during a highly successful loan spell at National League champions York City last season, where he made 25 appearances for the Minstermen. The League Two newcomers are reportedly keen to bring Johnson back to the Community Stadium to continue his development in North Yorkshire, but are set to face fierce competition from sides in League One.
According to Pete O’Rourke, third-tier duo Oxford United and Wigan Athletic are preparing approaches for the Sunderland-born player to bolster their defensive ranks. Given that time is firmly on his side, Johnson might be tempted to continue his journey with York, especially having immersed himself in their EFL return, but he’ll also have to weigh up the opportunity to test himself even higher up the pyramid.
Sunderland Man Represents Continuity For York City
York City’s hard-fought return to League Two after a decade away means they’re determined to build on their momentum and consolidate their position. While they’ve already accepted a substantial offer for Malachi Fagan-Walcott from Heart of Midlothian and seen Tyrese Sinclair depart for Livingston, the priority will undoubtedly be keeping the majority of the title-winning squad together. Retaining key players is sure to be essential in their quest to provide a stable foundation from which to build.
Johnson’s contract at the Stadium of Light expires later this month, and he looks set to be allowed to explore new opportunities. Having combined so successfully last term, the Minstermen may feel they have the advantage in encouraging the natural leader to return to the club on a permanent basis.
The former England under-18 international underscored his much-heralded reading of the game and positional awareness by featuring in 13 clean sheets out of his 25 appearances for Stuart Maynard’s side. His excellent rapport with the passionate fan base adds further strength to a potential deal, with a return to the York Community Stadium certain to further strengthen that bond during a truly exciting time for the club.
Oxford United Keen To Hit The Ground Running
Despite a starkly different conclusion to their last campaign, which saw them relegated from the Championship, Oxford United are clearly keen to bounce straight back. Head Coach Matt Bloomfield is reportedly determined to keep spirits high, and with plans already well underway, the U’s seem well-positioned to assemble a strong squad this summer.
The surprise departure of Dutch defender Hidde ter Avest from the Kassam Stadium, coupled with the release of Stuart Findlay following his loan spell, leaves the club in need of defensive reinforcements before the August resumption.
Even though the U’s suffered relegation last season, they held onto a strong defensive identity, a crucial element they’ll need to carry forward into their next campaign. Their Championship stint saw them leading the league in interceptions per match and ranking third for tackles according to FotMob, which strongly suggests that a player like Johnson, with his combative style, would integrate seamlessly into Matt Bloomfield’s dedicated defensive setup.
Michal Helik led the yellows with great distinction in the Championship, his extensive experience in English football serving as a blueprint from which others could learn. Developing a cohesive partnership with the Pole during the preseason and into the new season could be a highly attractive proposition for Zak Johnson, offering him a great opportunity to further develop his game at a higher level.
A Summer Of Action At Wigan Athletic
There’s a definite buzz of early intent coming from the Latics this summer, kicking off with the decisive move to bring Max Power back for his third spell at the club, secured early in preseason. Adding to that sense of purpose, Gary Caldwell, another familiar face starting afresh at the Brick Community Stadium, appears to be on a mission to get his side challenging higher up the League One table next term.
With club captain Jason Kerr, Will Aimson, and Steven Sessegnon all defensive options released, centre-back is a position in need of urgent strengthening for Wigan. The Latics reported interest in Johnson, a player who stands at 6 ft 2 inches tall and is known for his aerial prowess, presents an astute answer to their call for defensive talent.
Ultimately, Johnson’s journey will see him take a celebrated commitment to defending wherever he goes, a quality that, combined with his considerable scope for improvement, is sure to earn him even more acclaim at this early stage of his career.
