Sunderland transfer clear-out could hand Florent Ghisolfi a massive wage boost – and revive careers
Sunderland may need to move on several players this summer to free up wages and help revive careers
Sunderland’s rise has been so rapid that several players now find themselves in a difficult place.
That is not necessarily a criticism of those involved. In many cases, it is actually the opposite. Some of these players need permanent homes, regular football and the chance to build careers away from the uncertainty of being on the fringes at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are preparing for another Premier League campaign, a return to Europe and at least eight Europa League fixtures. Florent Ghisolfi’s wage budget and squad space will matter, and moving on a group of players who are unlikely to feature regularly could free up a significant chunk of money for the new sporting hierarchy to reinvest.
Abdoullah Ba
Abdoullah Ba has barely played for Sunderland’s first team in over two years and now needs a fresh start. There is talent there. Nobody should pretend otherwise. He had moments earlier in his Sunderland career when it felt like there could be a pathway, but the club have moved on quickly, and the level of competition has increased dramatically.
At this stage, Ba needs regular senior football more than another season on the fringes. Sunderland also need clarity. A permanent move feels like the best route for all parties.
Milan Aleksic
Milan Aleksic was once very highly rated, but he now needs a permanent home where he can play and properly build. There may still be a good player in there, but Sunderland’s current level makes the pathway extremely difficult. The jump from promising squad option to meaningful Premier League and European contributor is huge.
Aleksic needs rhythm, trust and responsibility. A loan might offer minutes, but at this point a permanent move may give him the cleanest chance to settle somewhere and restart properly.
Leo Hjelde
Leo Hjelde was on loan at Sheffield United last season and is understood to have been a good dressing room figure during Sunderland’s promotion campaign. He is well thought of as a character, and that should not be dismissed, but the footballing reality is clear enough. He does not look likely to play Premier League football for Sunderland.
At 22, Hjelde needs games. Sunderland need defenders who Régis Le Bris can realistically trust at this level. A permanent exit would allow him to build elsewhere rather than remain stuck between squad depth and the loan market.
Timothée Pembélé
Timothée Pembélé is another player whose Sunderland career has never really taken off. There were very brief flashes when he arrived, but injuries, inconsistency and competition for places have all contributed to a stop-start spell. Sunderland now need reliability and quality across the squad.
Pembélé needs a club where he can play regularly and rebuild momentum. Sunderland need to move towards players who are either clear contributors now or obvious development pieces for the future. Getting the Frenchman off the wage bill this season is a must for Ghisolfi.
Arthur Masuaku
Arthur Masuaku looks to have no real future at Sunderland. He was sent out on loan after just six months, which said plenty about where things stood. Dennis Cirkin has already announced he is going, but Sunderland are still expected to strengthen and shape the left-back area properly this summer.
Masuaku initially brought experience after promotion to the Premier League, but if he is not part of Le Bris’ plans, keeping him around would only clog up wages and squad space. A permanent exit would suit everyone and allow the Black Cats greater room to manoeuvre.
Alan Browne
Alan Browne is a respected professional and had a solid loan spell at Middlesbrough, but it is difficult to see where he fits into Sunderland’s midfield now. The level of competition has changed. Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra, Enzo Le Fée and others have raised the bar, while Sunderland may also look to add further quality given the extra demands of European football.
Browne still has plenty to offer, but probably not as a regular Sunderland midfielder in this version of the squad. He needs to build on his Boro loan and find a club where he can play consistently. The former Preston man has almost always played regularly during his career and will likely wish to continue that trend.
Nazariy Rusyn
Nazariy Rusyn just has not worked out at Sunderland. There were moments. He scored against Middlesbrough and played semi-regularly in the Championship before falling away dramatically, but it has never really looked like he had a clear long-term role.
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The attacking picture has moved on. Brian Brobbey’s emergence has changed the striker profile, Eliezer Mayenda’s future is under scrutiny, and Wilson Isidor has also had questions around his role. Rusyn is now some way down the list. He needs a permanent home where he can play, feel valued and rediscover himself. Sunderland need to free up space in an attacking department that is likely to change again.
Jenson Seelt
Jenson Seelt is the toughest call. There is obvious talent there. His size, technical ability and defensive profile mean he is not a player Sunderland should dismiss lightly. But the injury issues have become a real concern and hampered his progress while on loan in Germany this season.
The question is whether Sunderland can rely on him across a season that will include Premier League football, Europe and domestic cup commitments. If the answer is no, then Ghisolfi and Le Bris have a difficult decision to make. This one may depend on medical confidence and market interest. But like the others, Seelt needs regular football, and Sunderland need dependable options.
Luis Hemir Semedo
Luis Hemir Semedo also feels like a player who needs a permanent home this summer. Sunderland invested in his potential when he arrived from Benfica, and there is clearly a physical profile there that made him attractive. He is tall, powerful and still young enough to develop, but his time on Wearside has never really gathered momentum.
He has not come close to establishing himself as a serious first-team option. Sunderland’s level has moved on dramatically since then, and with Brian Brobbey now clearly ahead in the central striker role - plus the possibility of further attacking additions - Hemir’s pathway looks extremely difficult. At this stage, another loan would only delay the inevitable. A permanent move would allow him to settle, play regularly and build a career somewhere he can be trusted properly.