The Championship hidden gems Sunderland could target this summer
Sunderland could look to the second tier for transfer value this summer.
Sunderland have hit the hallowed 40-point mark with nine Premier League games to spare, and already, the club will be casting an eye to the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats have enjoyed a wonderful return to the top-flight and can now spend the remainder of the season trying to finish as high as possible, rather than worrying about the relegation battle many expected them to be caught up in. Another important summer of recruitment awaits as Sunderland seek to further establish themselves in the big time. And despite the big spending at the Stadium of Light last summer, the club will likely still look to the Championship to see if they can find a bargain option or exciting talent. With that in mind, here are three hidden gems from the English second tier that they could take a look at.
Championship gems Sunderland could target this summer
1. Richard Kone (Forward, QPR)
As of December 2023, Richard Kone was still playing non-league football with Athletic Newham. However, the following January, Wycombe Wanderers took a punt on him, and he never looked back. Kone quickly adjusted to life in the Football League and across 18 months and 74 appearances, he notched 25 goals and nine assists, including an 18-goal haul in League One last season.
QPR took a punt on the 22-year-old in the summer, and he’s rewarded them with seven goals and two assists in 34 Championship outings, as well as a strike against Premier League West Ham in the FA Cup. Kone’s form at Loftus Road earned him his Ivory Coast debut in a friendly against Oman in November, and he’s certainly a player whose trajectory only appears to be going up.
You get the feeling Kone still needs another year before he’s truly Premier League ready, but equally, this could be a good time to get him before his value rockets. His speed and runs into the channels make him an ideal Regis Le Bris player.
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2. Kristi Montgomery (Defensive midfield, Blackburn Rovers)
An ankle injury disrupted the middle part of Kristi Montgomery’s season, but make no mistake: when he’s available, he’s shown serious quality, and is a serious prospect for Blackburn Rovers.
The 21-year-old Scotland youth international is third at Ewood Park for tackles per 90 minutes (3.76) in the Championship this season, while he averages 8.11 duels won per 90 at a 56.9% success rate and draws 2.77 fouls per 90. Montgomery is not just a destroyer, of course, with the midfielder boasting 30.26 completed passes per 90 at a 74.27% success rate, proving he can make things tick when needed. But his best function is as a defensive screen.
Montgomery has a lot to learn before he can establish himself as a true starter, but that’s what hidden gems are all about. He’d be cheap this summer and could prove an exciting understudy to the aging but still very effective Granit Xhaka.
3. Zan Vipotnik (Striker, Swansea City)
We’ve saved the biggest profile for last. Zan Vipotnik joined Swansea in 2024 following the mutual termination of his contract at Bordeaux amid their financial collapse.
The Slovenia international endured a tough first season in South Wales, scoring just seven goals in 42 appearances as Swansea finished 11th. This season, however, has been a completely different story. Vipotnik has been a man on a mission, bagging 17 goals in 35 Championship outings to sit top of the charts - even ahead of the likes of Haji Wright (16) and Joe Gelhardt (13).
Vipotnik has added another two strikes in the EFL Cup, one of which came against Premier League opposition in Nottingham Forest, using his brilliant movement and penalty area instincts to the fullest effect. You’d wager a striker will be priority No.1 for Sunderland this summer given their goalscoring struggles in the Premier League, and Vipotnik could provide a clinical edge at a cut price compared to other targets.