Sunderland and QPR battling for Watford transfer target | OneFootball

Sunderland, QPR and Watford are in the chase to complete a deal with Valencia this summer

Sunderland and QPR have both made formal offers to sign Declan Frith from Valencia.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, the Championship clubs are competing for the signature of the 22-year-old, who has been on the books of Chelsea and Aston Villa.

It is expected that Valencia will not stand in the player’s way of a move and potential return to England during the transfer window, although they are hoping to secure a sizable sell-on clause in any transfer agreement reached.

Frith is hoping to secure regular playing time at a higher level, having been with the Valencia B team last season, competing in the fourth division of Spanish football.

The forward’s chance of breaking into the first team squad of the top flight club is slim, leading to speculation over his immediate future.

Sunderland and QPR make Declan Frith offer

It is believed that Sunderland and QPR have both made a formal approach to sign Frith from Valencia this summer.

Watford are also said to have an interest in the winger as well, but all three clubs face competition from La Liga outfit Getafe.

Frith came through the academy system at Chelsea and Aston Villa before making the switch to Spain, so could be tempted into a move back to England.

However, Getafe are hoping that he will instead prefer to stay in Spain, with the opportunity to sign for a top division club on the cards.

It has been proposed that he will alternate between Getafe’s underage and senior team, which will offer him the chance to compete at the highest level from next season.

The Spanish side are still waiting to hear an official response from the player, but it is believed his preference will be to stay in Spain.

It is understood that talks between Getafe and Valencia should be straightforward, with the sell-on clause the main factor that will need to be resolved.

But there is still a chance that he could move back to England amid interest from a trio of Championship clubs.

Sunderland and QPR’s Championship ambition

Sunderland and QPR will both be using this summer as a chance to make improvements to their first team squads ahead of the Championship season.

The clubs finished 16th and 18th in the table respectively last year, so will be hoping to climb into the top half of the standings in 2025.

Watford also suffered an underwhelming campaign, coming 15th, with all three clubs changing managers within the last 12 months as a consequence of poor results.

However, it appears that the pursuit of Frith may result in nothing coming to fruition due to Getafe’s interest.

Sunderland and QPR may find it difficult to strike Declan Frith deal

Frith fits the profile of the type of player that both Sunderland and QPR would like to bring into the club this summer.

He is a young, promising and exciting attacker with a lot of potential to improve with the right experience under his belt.

But they cannot offer him top flight football like Getafe can, which will always put them on the backfoot in these situations.