Lee Johnson and the club’s recruitment team remain hard at work behind the scenes to bring in new faces after seven players departed the Stadium of Light at the end of the last campaign.
And with the squad now back in pre-season training, transfer activity is set to ramp-up – with the club’s first pre-season game at Spennymoor Town now just around the corner.
Transfer rumours will no doubt continue up to and after that fixture, with Sunderland linked with some interesting names.
So just for fun, we’ve taken a look at how the Black Cats’ squad could look this season if some of the latest transfer rumours are true.
It’s a squad packed with new signings, but would it be enough to achieve promotion from League One?
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This is Sunderland's new-look squad for the 2021/22 season - if the latest transfer rumours are true Photo: Getty Images
. GK: Lee Burge
The stopper saw his deal at Sunderland extended at the end of the 2020/21 season, and looks set to start the campaign as the club's number one. Photo: FRANK REID 2020
. RB: Jamie Sterry
Sterry is set to become a free agent as his deal at Hartlepool United comes to an end. Pools have offered him fresh terms, but Sunderland - and a host of other EFL and National League clubs - are understood to be monitoring his situation. Photo: Ian MacNicol
. CB: Bailey Wright
Always a reliable presence at the back, the Australian centre back is set to be a key player once again as Sunderland head into the 2021/22 season. Photo: FRANK REID 2020
. CB: Dion Sanderson
What a signing this would be! The Wolves youngster is wanted by a host of clubs, and reports have suggested that Sunderland have already seen a £1million bid for Sanderson knocked-back. This will be an interesting saga to follow... Photo: FRANK REID 2019
. LB: Denver Hume
Hume is one of four players still weighing-up the offer of fresh terms at Sunderland, but hopes are high that he will remain with the club for the new campaign. Photo: FRANK REID 2020
1. GK: Lee Burge
The stopper saw his deal at Sunderland extended at the end of the 2020/21 season, and looks set to start the campaign as the club's number one. Photo: FRANK REID 2020
2. RB: Jamie Sterry
Sterry is set to become a free agent as his deal at Hartlepool United comes to an end. Pools have offered him fresh terms, but Sunderland - and a host of other EFL and National League clubs - are understood to be monitoring his situation. Photo: Ian MacNicol
3. CB: Bailey Wright
Always a reliable presence at the back, the Australian centre back is set to be a key player once again as Sunderland head into the 2021/22 season. Photo: FRANK REID 2020
4. CB: Dion Sanderson
What a signing this would be! The Wolves youngster is wanted by a host of clubs, and reports have suggested that Sunderland have already seen a £1million bid for Sanderson knocked-back. This will be an interesting saga to follow... Photo: FRANK REID 2019