Sunderland have just two league games remaining this season – while the club’s recruitment team will already be looking ahead to the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats were tracking several players during the January transfer window and are bound to be linked with more names in the coming months. For fun, following recent speculation, we’ve put together a possible Sunderland starting XI and bench if the rumours turn out to be true:
25. Potential squad player: Patrick Roberts
Sunderland turned down a late bid from Southampton for the winger during last summer’s transfer window. The 27-year-old then signed a new deal with the Black Cats in November, which will run until the summer of 2026, with a club option of an extra year Photo: Ed Sykes
26. Potential squad player: Nazariy Rusyn
Sunderland had been tracking the Ukrainian striker for some time, before reaching an agreement with Zorya Luhansk to sign the 25-year-old last year. Rusyn agreed a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light, with a club option of a further year. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo
27. Potential squad player: Leo Hjelde
Hjelde, 20, signed a four-and-a-half-year deal when he joined Sunderland from Leeds United in January. Photo: Stu Forster
28. Potential squad player: Adil Aouchiche
Attacking midfielder Aouchiche, 21, also signed a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light as he arrived from Ligue 1 side FC Lorient for an undisclosed fee last year. The Frenchman will hope for more first-team opportunities next season Photo: Ed Sykes