Sunderland's potential League One promotion rivals interested in TWO of Lee Johnson's players and Max Power

Sunderland majority stakeholder Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has confirmed Lee Johnson will stay on as Sunderland head coach.
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The Black Cats are preparing for a summer of upheaval following the League One play-offs with seven players being released by the club.

That’s after Sunderlans were knocked out in the play-off semi-final by Lincoln City in from of 10,000 supporters at the Stadium of Light.

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Sunderland managed to level the aggregate scores at 2-2 with two first-half goals but a second-half Lincoln strike cemented the Imps’ place in the final.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus looks on before the Sky Bet League One Play-off Semi Final 2nd Leg match between Sunderland and Lincoln City  at Stadium of Light on May 22, 2021 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus looks on before the Sky Bet League One Play-off Semi Final 2nd Leg match between Sunderland and Lincoln City  at Stadium of Light on May 22, 2021 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus looks on before the Sky Bet League One Play-off Semi Final 2nd Leg match between Sunderland and Lincoln City at Stadium of Light on May 22, 2021 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The result leaves Lee Johnson preparing The Black Cats for a fourth consecutive season in League One.

And on Tuesday evening, Sunderland’s retained list was confirmed with seven players being released and Denver Hume, Luke O’Nien, Aiden McGeady and Charlie Wyke set to be offered new deals.

We’ll also be on top of all the big stories from around the Stadium of Light and League One as they break throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

Sunderland AFC transfer news RECAP (May 27)

Key Events

  • Sunderland are preparing for another season of League One football
  • Former Sunderland striker James Vaughan has retired from football aged 32
  • The club published its retained list on Tuesday evening
  • Seven first team players, including club captain Grant Leadbitter, will leave the club when their contracts expire next month
  • Four players have also been offered new deals at the Stadium of Light
  • Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has confirmed that head coach Lee Johnson will remain at the club

Here’s what Lee Johnson and Kristjaan Speakman had to say on the retained list...

The players have worked extremely hard this season in very difficult circumstances and their reward for that was a trophy-winning season and a Play-Off spot. We are all disappointed we couldn’t achieve our ultimate goal of winning League One, but we thank the players for their endeavours and commitment and we will always welcome them back to the football club with open arms. As we look to a new dawn, there are many reasons to be optimistic about our future as we continue to rebuild the football club.

Lee Johnson, Head Coach

The players have worked extremely hard this season in very difficult circumstances and their reward for that was a trophy-winning season and a Play-Off spot. We are all disappointed we couldn’t achieve our ultimate goal of winning League One, but we thank the players for their endeavours and commitment and we will always welcome them back to the football club with open arms. As we look to a new dawn, there are many reasons to be optimistic about our future as we continue to rebuild the football club.

Kristjaan Speakman, Sporting Director

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League One rivals interested in TWO of Sunderland’s players AND recently released Max Power

Promotion rivals Ipswich Town are interested in three of Sunderland’s players.

Paul Cook and incoming chief executive Mark Ashton are understood to be keen to strengthenm as they look to rebuild the Ipswich Town squad in a bid to win promotion from League One at the third attempt.

The Blues are understood to have shown interest in three Black Cats, most notably the Wearside club’s leading scorer from 2020/21 Charlie Wyke, as well as midfielder Max Power and young attacker Josh Hawkes.

That’s according to the East Anglian Daily Times

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