Sunderland have had an improved bid rejected for AFC Wimbledon midfielder Jack Rudoni, according to a report. The Black Cats have been tracking the 20-year-old but also face competition for his signature from Championship rivals Huddersfield Town, and other clubs.
The South London Press reports that Sunderland and Huddersfield both submitted new bids for Rudoni at the end of last week, but Wimbledon have turned them down as they fell short of their asking price. The report goes on to say that Sunderland and Huddersfield are amongst four clubs to have shown interest in the player.
AFC Wimbledon were relegated from League One last season, but Rudoni still stood out in a poor side and he contributed 12 goals and five assists, which saw him named the club's player of the year. Sunderland were also linked with Rudoni in January, but at that stage their interest was knocked back by Wimbledon.
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Sunderland were reported to have had an initial bid for the former Crystal Palace youngster turned down earlier this month. The Black Cats are yet to add any new faces to their squad, with their only confirmed move so far seeing winger Leon Dajaku's loan switch converted into a permanent deal.
Sunderland are in desperate need of reinforcements, however, with seven players having left the club over the summer either because their contracts expired or because their loan spells had come to an end. Not only is the squad short on numbers, but boss Alex Neil will need to upgrade it in key areas ready for the Championship after securing promotion from League One via the play-offs last term.
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