Sunderland have eight league games remaining this season – while the club’s recruitment team will already be looking ahead to the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats were tracking several players during the January transfer window and are bound to be linked with more names in the coming months. For fun, following recent speculation, we’ve put together a possible Sunderland starting XI and bench if the rumours turn out to be true:
13. POTENTIAL SUB: Charlie Cresswell
Sunderland have been linked with Cresswell during previous transfer windows, while the defender has only made five Championship appearances for Leeds this season. Photo: Jess Hornby
14. POTENTIAL SUB: Aji Alese
The 23-year-old defender has missed large parts of this season due to injury but recently signed a contract extension with the club, which will run until 2027. Photo: Frank Reid
15. POTENTIAL SUB: Pierre Ekwah
Ekwah has produced some excellent performances in a Black Cats shirt but has dropped out of the side in recent weeks after a dip in form. Despite reported interest from Premier League clubs, the 22-year-old has said Sunderland is the perfect place for his development. Photo: Frank Reid
16. POTENTIAL SUB: Lamare Bogarde
The Athletic reported in January that Sunderland were showing strong interest in Aston Villa midfielder Bogarde. The 20-year-old spent the first half of this season on loan at League Two club Bristol Rovers. Photo: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC