Luke O’Nien, Corry Evans, Jay Matete and Dan Neil will all be hoping to make an impact in the Black Cats’ engine room, which is bound to be a key area as Alex Neil’s side step up to the second tier.
Evans was a key player for Neil in the defensive midfield role at the end of last season, and Sunderland may look to sign another player who could fill that position if their captain is unavailable.
While Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has said the Black Cats will have a competitive budget this summer, they will also be looking at the loan and free agent markets.
Here are nine central midfielders Sunderland could look at:
While Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has said the Black Cats will have a competitive budget this summer, they will also be looking at the loan and free agent markets.
5. Ben Sheaf
The 24-year-old made his loan move from Arsenal to Coventry permanent last summer and has now made 65 Championship appearances for The Sky Blues over the last two seasons. Sheaf often played in a deeper midfield role in Coventry's 3-4-2-1 system and has also been progressive with his passes. He has two years left on his Sky Blues contract. Photo: Catherine Ivill
Sunderland were interested in the defensive midfielder before he moved from Rangers to Hull in 2020. After helping the Tigers win promotion from League One in his first season in East Yorkshire, the 25-year-old impressed in the Championship last term, winning the majority of his defensive dules and making 40 league appearances. He has a year left on his contract at Hull, yet the club hold an additional year option. Photo: Getty Images
Another player who is set to become a free agent this summer. Sawyers will leave West Brom after the Baggies decided not to activate their one-year option on the player's contract. The 30-year-old has impressed in the Championship as a player who is comfortable in possession and can progress with the ball. He did miss a large chuck of last season, while on loan at Stoke, due to a thigh injury though. Photo: Pool
A younger option who Bristol City will surely want to keep, but who only has a year left on his contract at Ashton Gate. The 20-year-old midfielder, who is an aggressive tackler who can close the ball down quickly, joined the Robins from Monaco in 2019 and has already made 87 Championship appearances. Photo: Harry Trump