Premier League stars Sunderland could target in bargain deals during the summer transfer window
Sunderland are already planning for the summer transfer window as they look to boost Regis Le Bris' squad once again.
There can be no doubt last summer’s transfer window laid the foundations for Sunderland’s remarkable return to the Premier League.
Few had expected the sizeable transformation the Black Cats squad received in the aftermath of their Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United as the likes of Tommy Watson and Jobe Bellingham moved on and a whole host of new heroes arrived during a summer that can be described as transformational ahead of the big return to the top flight.
The Black Cats’ transfer record was smashed with a £20m permanent deal for loan signing Enzo Le Fee before a new high was set just weeks later when Sunderland saw off competition from elsewhere to secure a £30m agreement for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra. The likes of Robin Roefs, Brian Brobbey, Omar Alderete and Granit Xhaka have also arrived and made a major impact throughout a season that could end in qualification for European competition for only the second time in the club’s history over the next month.
Although the focus remains on producing a strong end to the campaign, plans are already being put together for the upcoming summer transfer window and qualification for Europe could boost Sunderland’s hopes of securing more ambitious signings in preparation for next season. It would be a surprise if the level of business conducted by the Stadium of Light hierarchy reached the levels witnessed last summer - but there will be new arrivals and there could be some departures as a number of current Black Cats stars are reportedly receiving attention from elsewhere after their impressive performances during the season.
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Intriguingly, there are a whole host of Premier League players approaching the final months of their current contracts and that could mean they will be available on free transfers by the time the summer transfer window opens for business. We take a look at who is on an extensive list of players the Black Cats could snap up in bargain deals ahead of next season.
Premier League players out of contract this summer
Arsenal: Karl Hein
AFC Bournemouth: Matai Akinmboni, Marcos Senesi
Aston Villa: Ross Barkley
Brentford: Rico Henry, Mathias Jensen, Josh Dasilva
Brighton & Hove Albion: Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk, Solly March, Joël Veltman, James Milner
Burnley: Josh Laurent, Martin Dúbravka, Václav Hladky, Ashley Barnes
Chelsea: N/A
Crystal Palace: Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma, Nathaniel Clyne, Naouirou Ahamada
Everton: Vitaliy Mykolenko, Michael Keane, Idrissa Gueye, Harry Tyrer, Seamus Coleman
Fulham: Raúl Jiménez, Tom Cairney
Leeds United: Illan Meslier, Sam Byram, Karl Darlow, Alex Cairns
Liverpool: Ibrahima Konaté, Andrew Robertson, Trey Nyoni, Freddie Woodman, Rhys Williams
Manchester City: John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Stefan Ortega, Marcus Bettinelli
Manchester United: Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Tom Heaton
Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Fabian Schär, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Mark Gillespie
Nottingham Forest: Angus Gunn, Willy Boly
Sunderland: Dennis Cirkin, Dan Neil, Bertrand Traoré, Harrison Jones, Simon Moore
Tottenham Hotspur: Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies
West Ham: Andrew Irving, Callum Wilson, Lukasz Fabianski
Wolves: Ki-Jana Hoever, Matt Doherty
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