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:
17. Adam Richardson - could leave (on loan)
The 20-year-old will likely head out on loan at some point this season as he looks to play first-team minutes in a senior environment. Photo: Frank Reid
18. Loe Hjelde - won't leave
Hjelde, 20, signed a four-and-a-half-year deal when he joined Sunderland from Leeds United in January. Photo: Frank Reid
19. Niall Huggins - won't leave
After getting back into Sunderland's starting XI, the 23-year-old full-back suffered another serious injury just before Christmas and is set to be sidelined for the rest of this year. Photo: Frank Reid
20. Jenson Seelt - won't leave
Seelt required surgery on a knee injury he sustained against Southampton at the end of March, when it was thought he'd be sidelined for six to nine months. That means the Dutch defender wouldn't return until around October time at the earliest. Given the severity of the setback, it seems unlikely we'll see Seelt play for the first team again this year. Photo: Frank Reid