Sunderland are pulling out all the stops to keep one of their brightest young talents. The Black Cats are locked in contract negotiations with 18-year-old forward Finn Geragusian, desperately trying to fend off interest from Rangers and several EFL clubs before his scholarship deal expires this summer.

Born in County Durham and a lifelong Sunderland supporter, Geragusian has become a hot commodity. And it's easy to see why. The teenager has been on fire at the Academy of Light, delivering back-to-back standout seasons. This campaign alone, he bagged 13 goals and three assists in 29 appearances, following up a 12-goal, seven-assist haul from 2024–25. That's 35 goal contributions in just 60 academy games over two seasons—numbers that naturally attract attention.

His stock rose even higher after earning his first senior cap for Armenia this season, qualifying through his father. That international experience has only added to the buzz surrounding his future.

However, a thigh injury cut his season short, forcing him to miss the Premier League Cup final defeat to Burnley at the Stadium of Light. Any club hoping to sign him will need to agree on a compensation fee with Sunderland or head to a tribunal, given his academy tenure.

With Sunderland now back in the Premier League, the path to first-team minutes has become much steeper. The squad is deeper, the competition fiercer, and even the most promising academy graduates face a tougher climb. Geragusian is a lively, direct forward with sharp movement off the ball and a natural eye for goal. But his injury record raises questions, and he still needs to prove he can replicate that form against senior opposition.

For Sunderland, keeping Geragusian just for the sake of it—without a clear loan plan or a realistic route to first-team action—risks being an empty promise. If they want to hold onto this gem, they'll need to offer him more than just a contract. They'll need to show him a future.