Edin Dzeko, Diafra Sakho, Bas Dost: Full list of players linked with a summer move to Sunderland AFC

The Black Cats finished 17th in the Premier League after successfully avoiding relegation to the Championship after another season-long battle against the drop.

It is an annual cycle Allardyce is desperate to end as he looks to steer the club further up the league table.

Several players are set to leave Wearside, helping free up the wage bill ahead of a busy summer on the transfer front.

We take a look at the full list of players linked with a summer move to the Stadium of Light:

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ibai Gomez:

The 26-year-old suffered an injury-hit 2015-16 campaign but could be available during the summer for a cut-price £2.3million fee, according to reports in Spain.

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho:

Sakho was signed for £3.5million from Metz in the summer of 2014, netting 12 goals in 26 games during Allardyce’s spell in charge at Upton Park.

QPR centre-back Steven Caulker:

Caulker, who has two-years left on his reported £35,000-a-week wages, is said to be available for a cut-price £4.5million fee.

Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic:

Stoke are also said to be keeping tabs on Serbian defender Subotic, with a season-long loan or a cut-price fee two options attractive to Sunderland.

Walsall defender Rico Henry:

An England Under-19 international, the highly-sought after 18-year-old has two years left on his existing contract at Walsall.

Leeds United wideman Charlie Taylor.

Taylor, 22, is a product of the Leeds youth academy and has broken into the Elland Road first team, playing 43 games last season.

Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark:

The defender has a £5million release clause following the club's relegation and Sunderland are reported to have joined the race for his signature.

The Republic of Ireland international was part of a Villa side that won only three games all season.

Swansea City winger Andre Ayew and striker Bafetimbi Gomis:

Swans boss Francesco Guidolin insists he doesn’t want 12-goal top scorer Ayew to leave south Wales as he plans to transform him into an out-and-out striker.

Bristol City centre-back Aden Flint:

The 26-year-old, former Swindon Town defender, was first linked with a move at the turn of the year.

West Brom midfielder James Morrison:

Darlington-born Morrison is available on a free transfer this summer and Allardyce is looking to boost his midfield options.

Morrison, 29, is an experienced Premier League campaigner and is likely to have a lot of interest in him this summer.

Polish winger Kamil Grosicki:

Grosicki plays for Stade Rennais and the 27-year-old is under contract with the French club until 2019.

Lyon winger Rachid Ghezzal:

The 24-year-old French-born Algerian wideman only has a year remaining on his contract at the French giants with his future very much in doubt.

Bordeaux midfielder Clement Chantome:

Chantome's contract at Bordeaux - the former club of Wahbi Khazri - expires this summer and he announced last month that he will leave the Ligue 1 outfit. Has agreed a deal to sign for French side Rennes.

Nice midfielder Nampalys Mendy:

The Black Cats, Leicester, Wolfsburg, West Ham and Southampton have all been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, according to reports in France.

West Ham defender James Tomkins:

The 27-year-old – who worked under Allardyce at Upton Park – has made close to 250 appearances for the Hammers, but he could find himself surplus to requirements as boss Slaven Bilic looks to resurrect his squad, after a seventh-place Premier League finish.

Lorient right-back Lamine Gassama:

Gassama rejected Sunderland’s advances in the January window.

FC Twente’s attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech:

However, Sunderland sources have indicated that Ziyech is not a player that the Black Cats are tracking as Allardyce looks at options to boost his squad.

Roma striker Edin Dzeko:

The former Manchester City striker has been linked with a shock summer move to the Stadium of Light this summer, with manager Sam Allardyce keen to bolster his attacking options.

Didier Ndong of Lorient:

The 21-year-old midfielder is already a Gabon international and French sources claim that as well as Sunderland, Torino, Monaco and Spartak Moscow are interested. The youngster is valued at around £7million.

Bas Dost:

It is understood that Sunderland - along with Hamburg - are keeping tabs on Wolfsburg’s 6ft 5in targetman Dost as an alternative option, although they have not yet made any formal contact with the German club.

Norwich’s Robbie Brady:

The Republic of Ireland international is one of those likely to leave Carrow Road after Norwich’s relegation, although the Canaries have reportedly slapped a £12million price tag on the 24-year-old.

However, Brady has predominantly played at left-back over the last two seasons and that is not thought to be one of Allardyce’s priorities in the transfer market.

Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan:

Sunderland rumoured to be among several Premier League clubs scouting the midfielder.