Set as things stand to go into the new campaign as the club's number one goalkeeper. There is interest from top-tier clubs but he still has four years to run on his contract and so it would take a huge fee to change Sunderland's stance. Player himself will know the importance of playing regularly so will be in no rush to leave even if some of the huge clubs tracking him would have an obvious appeal. Should help keep some continuity in a key part of the pitch.placeholder image
Set as things stand to go into the new campaign as the club's number one goalkeeper. There is interest from top-tier clubs but he still has four years to run on his contract and so it would take a huge fee to change Sunderland's stance. Player himself will know the importance of playing regularly so will be in no rush to leave even if some of the huge clubs tracking him would have an obvious appeal. Should help keep some continuity in a key part of the pitch.

Sunderland summer transfer predictions for every player in Régis Le Bris' squad amid £20-million rumours

Phil Smith
By Phil Smith

Sunderland AFC Writer

Published 1st Jul 2024, 16:37 GMT

Sunderland’s attentions are turning towards a crucial summer transfer window as pre-season training begins

Sunderland’s preparations for the 2024/25 campaign are officially underway.

The players reported back for pre-season testing on Friday and began their training programme today, which was also Régis Le Bris’ first day officially in charge of the Black Cats. Sunderland will now have a solid two-week training block before the squad splits for friendlies against Gateshead and South Shields, with the pre-season tour of Spain to follow. Here, we run through the state of play with every player currently in Le Bris’ senior squad and make a summer transfer window prediction for each and every one...

One of a number of Sunderland players who has Premier League interest. Ambitious and wants to play there one day, but has publicly said he's happy at the club for the time being. Sundrland are very well protected in terms of his contract and see him as an absolutely crucial player in their team next season. Would be a huge shock if anything was to change - a lock for the starting XI on opening day as it stands.

5. Trai Hume

One of a number of Sunderland players who has Premier League interest. Ambitious and wants to play there one day, but has publicly said he's happy at the club for the time being. Sundrland are very well protected in terms of his contract and see him as an absolutely crucial player in their team next season. Would be a huge shock if anything was to change - a lock for the starting XI on opening day as it stands. | Getty Images Photo: Getty

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Tough first season on Wearside but showed some promising signs towards the end of the season, playing particularly well at Leeds United. Has four years left to run on his deal and so the plan will be to integrate him further this season and hope a full pre-season (which he didn't have last year) will help him progress quicker. Still questions over whether he can get past Hume, particularly when Sunderland play with a back four, but expect him to be in the squad for the campaign as things stand.

6. Timothee Pembele

Tough first season on Wearside but showed some promising signs towards the end of the season, playing particularly well at Leeds United. Has four years left to run on his deal and so the plan will be to integrate him further this season and hope a full pre-season (which he didn't have last year) will help him progress quicker. Still questions over whether he can get past Hume, particularly when Sunderland play with a back four, but expect him to be in the squad for the campaign as things stand. | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid

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An up-and-down start to his career on Wearside, understandable given he came into a side fast losing momentum. Sees himself first and foremost as a centre back and that's where the club see him competing in the long run, but injuries forced him out wide when he first arrived. Will hope to get a chance to impress in his preferred position over pre-season. Seems likely to start behind O'Nien and Ballard in pecking order.

7. Leo Hjelde - Summer of 2028

An up-and-down start to his career on Wearside, understandable given he came into a side fast losing momentum. Sees himself first and foremost as a centre back and that's where the club see him competing in the long run, but injuries forced him out wide when he first arrived. Will hope to get a chance to impress in his preferred position over pre-season. Seems likely to start behind O'Nien and Ballard in pecking order. | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid

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Little doubt over his future or his place in the team at this stage. Sunderland's defensive record was decent last year and they'll want to keep Patterson, Ballard and O'Nien together as a platform to build from. Seems likely that O'Nien will be officially promoted to club captain following the departure of Corry Evans.

8. Luke O’Nien

Little doubt over his future or his place in the team at this stage. Sunderland's defensive record was decent last year and they'll want to keep Patterson, Ballard and O'Nien together as a platform to build from. Seems likely that O'Nien will be officially promoted to club captain following the departure of Corry Evans. | Getty Images Photo: Getty

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