According to the recent reports from the Daily Record, Sunderland have sent scouts to watch 19-year-old winger Jake Hastie in action against St. Mirren around a week back. The youngster currently plies his trade for Motherwell, and Championship outfits like West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United were also keeping an eye on this winger who is enjoying an impressive second half of the season in the Scottish Premiership.
The winger had spent the first half of the season on loan with Alloa Athletic before being recalled back by Stephen Robinson. Hastie is currently in the final few months of his contract, and there is no doubt that Motherwell would want to keep hold of their academy product.
Robinson recently opened about the interest which Hastie is generating from England and warned him that he could lose his way if he decides to make a switch in his career. The manager said (The Scottish Sun), ”He’s playing regular first-team football, and I’d sit in front of any parent and tell them if their boy goes to England they will be playing Under-23 football, and will maybe lose their way.
“I’m a big advocate of playing early and playing young, and I’m confident Jake will re-sign.”
Sunderland would surely have had positive scout reports for Jack Ross as the youngster scored a brilliant long-range goal in the tie against St. Mirren which helped his side earn a crucial 2-1 win. Ross’ knowledge and understanding of the Scottish football is helping Sunderland as he has already recruited quite a few players from there and Hastie is another one on his radar.
The fact that the 19-year-old is going to be available on a free transfer in the summer makes him an even more exciting prospect for all his potential suitors. We believe Sunderland needs to be promoted to the Championship to attract someone like Hastie as both West Brom and Leeds United are currently strong contenders to secure a place in the Premier League which means that the Black Cats might find it hard to sign him in that scenario.
However, there is no doubt to us that Motherwell would also want to extend his contract. It’s true that the player might lose his way if he moves to England but a club like Sunderland can be a good destination for him. The Wearside outfit are set to lose the services of Lewis Morgan in the summer as his loan spell would expire. Therefore the club will need a winger to replace him. It all depends on what Hastie would decide in the summer after his manager has urged him to stay in Scotland and re-sign with the Well.
