The 11 Sunderland fringe players who could be set for transfer exits this summer

Sunderland have already set about reshaping their squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with fringe players Milan Aleksic and Harrison Jones both sealing exits from the club in recent days.

But with a busy summer ahead, and with several other names on the periphery of Regis Le Bris’ plans at the Stadium of Light, which other talents could be set for a departure over the coming weeks? We’ve taken a closer look below...

Anthony Patterson

An exit for the much-loved academy graduate feels like an increasing inevitability this summer. With Robin Roefs and Melker Ellborg acting as Sunderland’s de facto first and second choice between the sticks, and with Patterson having spent the latter stages of last season out on loan in the Championship at Millwall, the next logical step for all parties is to secure a permanent departure that pockets the Black Cats a tidy sum and guarantees the 26-year-old regular minutes.

Abdoullah Ba

Something of a forgotten man on Wearside, it is something of a shock that Ba is still on the books at the Stadium of Light. Still only 22, the Frenchman is in desperate need of a fresh start.

Ahmed Abdullahi

Hampered by injury ever since he arrived at Sunderland, Abdullahi has shown flashes of his prowess in front of goal during stints with the U21s, but would surely benefit from a run in the senior game, provided his fitness allows it. A loan would be ideal, if possible.

Alan Browne

After spending last season with Middlesbrough, Browne proved that he can still be a valuable contributor at the top end of the Championship. Whether he returns to Teesside remains to be seen, but one way or another, it feels as if an exit from Sunderland is highly probable.

Jenson Seelt

Less straightforward than others on this list given how promising he has looked when free of injury, Seelt spent time with VfL Wolfsburg last term, and will presumably be a candidate for an exit in one form or another over the coming months. That being said, it is not entirely out of the question that he is folded back into the first team picture at the Stadium of Light either.

Nazariy Rusyn

Heavily linked with a return to his native Ukraine in recent days, Rusyn himself has suggested that nothing is concrete just yet, but the likelihood is that he will be moved on sooner rather than later.

Timothee Pembele

Another who has fallen by the wayside, Pembele spent the second half of last season with Le Havre in France, and is likely to be on the move again this summer.

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Arthur Masuaku

Signed last year, Masuaku racked up just four appearances for Sunderland before he was loaned out to RC Lens in January, and truthfully, it is hard to envisage him adding to that tally.

Aji Alese

Plagued by injury, Alese has been supremely unfortunate during his time in the North East. After a loan spell with Portsmouth was curtailed by yet another fitness setback, and with his first team prospects seemingly non-existent on Wearside, this summer could represent an opportunity for him to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.

Leo Hjelde

A promising talent who, like a number of names on this list, has arguably been a victim of Sunderland’s rapid progression under Le Bris. In Hjelde’s case, a transfer is probably needed to kickstart his career.

Simon Adingra

It never quite worked out for Adingra on Wearside, as evidenced by his January loan exit to AS Monaco. Reports have suggested that the Ligue 1 outfit are unwilling to activate an option-to-buy clause in his agreement on the continent - and if that is the case, he will return to Sunderland - but at this stage, there are no indications as to what might happen after.

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