Sunderland are in a battle with Everton to sign young Swedish goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg, according to Swedish publication Fotbollskanalen.

The 18 year-old shot stopper has taken the starting spot at IFK Göteborg in the Swedish top-flight, and is tipped as one of the future stars of the Swedish national team.

Already a Sweden U21 international with a couple of caps, Dahlberg made the move to the Allsvenskan in 2015 from boyhood club Älvängens IK, and Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has identified the player as a potential target.

The current ability and potential of the young star will make him a hot property in the European game within the next year, and tying up a January deal for the player would mark a real coup for the former Preston manager.

Dahlberg is showing early signs of stardom, and a switch to the English game at this stage of his career could provide him with the platform to become a Premier League regular in the future.

The Verdict

Dahlberg will be a largely unknown quantity on these shores, but the youngster is earning rave reviews in his homeland.

Sweden have struggled for quality keepers in recent years, so the emergence of Dahlberg has certainly got the Swedish media and fans excited about his potential.

With four clean sheets in the Allsvenskan to his name already this season, the youngster has the rest of the Swedish league season to progress and continue to fulfill his potential, paving the way for a potential move to England in the near future.

With Everton boss Ronald Koeman also weighing up a bid, the Black Cats must move swiftly if they are serious about bringing one of the hottest goalkeeping prospects in Europe to the club.

Sunderland fans, are you in need of a new shot-stopper?