Football FanCast brings you the latest Sunderland transfer round-up.
After making the Championship play-offs in 2022/23, the Black Cats had a more turbulent campaign last time out, with Tony Mowbray and managerial replacement Michael Beale both being shown the door as the Wearsiders hunt for a new boss ahead of the upcoming season.
Whoever is put in charge this summer will have the task of strengthening the side ahead of another bid to reach the Premier League, though another year of consolidation may be in order after a torrid end to last year's campaign.
Here are the latest rumours and gossip involving Sunderland ahead of the official opening of the transfer window.
Latest Sunderland transfer rumours Transfers in
Ar'jany Martha: Sunderland are said to be one of the clubs eyeing up a move for former Ajax starlet Ar'jany Martha. Martha's contract at the Dutch giants expires soon and is set to leave on a free. The left-back can also play in attacking areas and could be a steal for whoever inherits this Sunderland side in the summer. However, they may face competition from Burnley, who will be Championship opponents once again next year.
Josh Murphy: Oxford United secured Championship status thanks to a brace from Josh Murphy in the play-off final – but his club for next season is far from certain. There were reports that the Us were in contract talks with the winger, though Sunderland are among those to have shown an interest in the past.
Several Championship clubs are thought to be keeping tabs on his situation, so this could be one to watch over the next few weeks,
Divin Mubama: Sunderland's apparent links to a move for West Ham forward Divin Mubama were one of the first rumours to emerge following the end of the Championship season, and it now appears that they have finally initiated talks over a potential switch.
Player
Club
Latest reports
Oliver Norwood
Sheff Utd
Details
Ian Poveda
Leeds
Details
Transfers out
Anthony Patterson: Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson could be on the move this summer if clubs act on their reported interest. The likes of Liverpool and Wolves have been named as admirers of the Black Cats shot-stopper in the past, though it is unclear at present if Sunderland will face a fight to keep him at the Stadium of Light.
Jobe Bellingham: Someone who could be even trickier to keep hold of this summer is Jobe Bellingham. Reporter Fabrizio Romano claimed in late May that Crystal Palace were in talks with the 18-year-old, while the likes of Brentford and Borussia Dortmund – who previously had brother Jude on their books – have also made their interest known.
Trai Hume: Sunderland have been backed to lose a right-back over the summer, with Trai Hume potentially on the chopping block, along with Timothee Pembele. Reporter Graeme Bailey believes one of those two players will go, despite Mowbray being a fan of Hume and Pembele getting a run of starts towards the end of the campaign.
Confirmed Sunderland 2024/25 transfers Transfers out
Sunderland are preparing to bid farewell to a number of players following the end of the season, including stalwart Corry Evans and attacker Bradley Dack. Meanwhile, academy graduates Jack Diamond and Ellis Taylor will also leave the club when their deals expire.
Player
Club
Fee
Bradley Dack
Released
n/a
Jack Diamond
Released
n/a
Corry Evans
Released
n/a
Ellis Taylor
Released
n/a
Sunderland 2023/24 transfers
Sunderland were rather sensible in terms of the fees paid for players last summer, with around £3m being the highest. The standout signing was undoubtedly Jobe Bellingham, who was one of the standout performers at the Stadium of Light and has attracted the attention of clubs elsewhere.
Sunderland 2023/24 sales
Last year, Sunderland finally waved goodbye to Ross Stewart after a lot of rumours linking him away, with £8 million being a very respectable fee for his services.
As well as this, two of the club's more senior players ended up departing, as both Lynden Gooch and Alex Pritchard headed to Championship rivals.