Sunderland's Sean Thornton is being chased by Crystal Palace and Leeds United.
Sunderland midfielder Sean Thornton is being chased by Crystal Palace and Leeds United according to the player's agent.The talented Irishman has been told he can leave the Premiership new boys by Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy and is now attracting strong interest from The Championship.
Thornton's agent, Lee Payne, has told skysports.com that contact has been made by both clubs - but that at present talks are at a preliminary stage.
''There is interest from Leeds and Palace but there has been nothing concrete as yet,'' Payne told skysports.com.
''We're just waiting now. They would be interested in signing Sean but we've left it now.
''They'd have to agree something with Sunderland first.
''I expect things to get going again in the next few weeks.''
Payne continued to reveal that interest had also been expressed from Spain - with Primera outfit Malaga also mooted as potential suitors.
Thornton has endured a rocky relationship with McCarthy but would be willing to fight for a first team spot next season - although at present this looks a highly unlikely scenario.
''Malaga are a definite,'' continued Payne. ''There has been interest from a few clubs but it's early days.
''At the moment he'd prefer to stay in England.
''Sean would like to stay at Sunderland, definitely.
''He went to see Mick (McCarthy) and asked if he could have another chance to prove himself but was told there was no point in coming back as he'd be training with the kids.
''He hasn't really got any other options left there. Now he wants to prove Mick wrong.''
