Several Sunderland stars attracting interest from other clubs - but who could leave, and which players won’t?
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman recently provided an update to Sunderland fans on transfers and contracts.
“Certainly, we want to make sure the pre-season is executed really well,” Speakman told the club’s social media channels ahead of Sunderland’s upcoming summer friendly fixtures.
“It's all about having really good planning. We want to be really, really good about the pre-season. My ultimate focus is the transfer window, making sure that the squad is in the right place moving forward.
“And obviously, we've already started that work with the goalkeeping changes we made. And then it's also about retaining talent and hopefully, we'll have some good news in the next couple of days on some of our exciting talent,” he concluded.
Here, we take a look at the players who could leave Sunderland this summer amid transfer interest from clubs in the Premier League and lower down the pyramid and those who won’t.
However, it should be noted that not all the players listed will leave at once and there are multiple caveats, which we have hopefully explained here:
9. Nazariy Rusyn - won't leave
The 25-year-old is set to benefit from a full pre-season after joining Sunderland from Ukrainian club Zorya Lugansk on deadline day last summer. There had been some talk of a loan for Rusyn but the player has stated his desire to remain at the club. Photo: Frank Reid
10. Dan Neil - could leave
The midfielder is bound to attract transfer interest from top-level clubs this season but Sunderland have opened contract talks with the Academy of Light graduate. Neil is another player that could leave should huge money come in but it is not thought to be likely at this stage that he will depart his boyhood club. | Getty Images
11. Adil Aouchiche - won't leave
Attacking midfielder Aouchiche, 21, 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. Photo: Frank Reid
12. Joe Anderson - could leave
Even when Sunderland were short of defensive options during the 2022-23 season, the 23-year-old wasn't handed a first-team start. Anderson wasn't always been a regular starter during a loan spell at League One side Shrewsbury and is unlikely to receive many opportunities when he returns to Wearside. Photo: Jeremy Ng