Sunderland AFC transfer news RECAP: Squad has returned to training as Lee Johnson reveals signing hopes
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Lee Johnson & Co have much to do ahead of the new season, with Sunderland – who travel to Spennymoor on Saturday – yet to make a signing.
The futures of several Sunderland players is yet to be determined including Charlie Wyke Luke O’Nien, Aiden McGeady and Denver Hume.
The quartet have all been offered new contracts.
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Hide AdWyke is out of contract this summer at Sunderland and as previously reported by the Echo, he is expected to move on.
Celtic are interested, with several Championship clubs also keeping tabs on Sunderland’s 31-goal top scorer from last season.
Speaking at his unveiling, new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has vowed to bring a new perspective to the Hoops, with Celtic expected to make around 15 new signings this summer.
We’ll have the latest SAFC transfer news throughout the day.
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Sunderland AFC transfer news LIVE: Updates from the Stadium of Light
Key Events
- The Sunderland squad return to pre-season training today
- Sunderland are yet to make a signing this summer
- The club await contract decision from Charlie Wyke, Luke O’Nien, Denver Hume and Aiden McGeady
Good morning!
Hello and welcome to our live Sunderland AFC blog, we’ll have the latest news throughout the day.
The Sunderland squad returns to training at the Academy of Light this morning.
Their first pre-season friendly is Spennymoor Town away on Saturday afternoon.
Celtic want Charlie Wyke
Charlie Wyke continues to be linked with a move to Scottish giants Celtic, who unveiled their new boss on Friday.
Wyke is out of contract this summer at Sunderland and as previously reported by the Echo, he is expected to move on.
Celtic are interested, with several Championship clubs also keeping tabs on Sunderland’s 31-goal top scorer from last season.
Speaking at his unveiling, new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has vowed to bring a new perspective to the Hoops.
Sunderland have been strongly linked
Sunderland-linked Joe Pigott has been backed to fill the boots of Charlie Wyke, should the 31-goal striker move on as expected this summer.
Pigott is a man in demand this summer having left AFC Wimbledon following the expiration of his contract.
The striker netted 54 goals in 157 games during his time with the Dons and has frequently been linked with a move up the pyramid during his time in London.
And now a free agent, the 27-year-old is drawing admiring glances from both the Championship and League One.
This is a positive sign
Sunderland boss Lee Johnson was welcomed the investment in improving the facilities and pitches at both the stadium and training ground
The Sunderland head coach referred to the building work at the academy and improvements to the pitches in an interview with the club website.
Work has been ongoing to revamp the club’s Academy of Light training base and facilities at the Stadium of Light.
“It’s a real sign of the investment,” said Johnson.
“Sometimes fans won’t see all that stuff, but it is part of the long game.
“One argument would be to not to spend anything on renovating the offices and throw it [the money] all into the squad, but actually it is about environment and creating that elite performance environment.
“A lot of money has been spent on the pitches at the Stadium of Light and the training ground and improving their quality, a lot of money has gone into the stadium to make it a better matchday experience for the fans.
“I’m on board with that because the beauty of this club is that the revenue goes back into the team and that’s a great thing to see, and it isn’t something that has always happened at my previous clubs.
“Although we have the short-term desire to do extremely well, we’ve also got the long-term plan in place to improve all facets of the club.”