EFL clubs target Sunderland starlet for loan move, he has ‘impressed’ Regis Le Bris in pre-season

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Sunderland won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League last season, and EFL Analysis can confirm that four sides are looking to profit with a loan swoop.

Sunderland won the Championship play-off final in May, after beating Sheffield United 2-1 to send the Black Cats back to the Premier League and condemn the Blades to another season in the second tier.

After earning top flight status following an eight-year absence, Sunderland have been involved in several transfer dealings with EFL clubs throughout the summer transfer window.

With Leicester City relegated, Sunderland have targeted Bilal El Khannouss throughout the window, and EFL Analysis have revealed that Sunderland want Cardiff teenager Jack Sykes.

In terms of outgoings, EFL Analysis can confirm that one highly-rated Black Cats prospect is set for a loan stint, with clubs in League One, one in League Two, and a Scottish top flight club battling for his signature.

• READ MORE: Lynden Gooch proved at Sunderland why Huddersfield Town have completed League One signing of the summer

Exclusive: EFL clubs look to sign Sunderland starlet Jenson Jones on loan

Since earning promotion alongside Leeds United and Burnley last season, Sunderland have made several high-profile signings so far this summer, to equip Regis Le Bris with Premier League level reinforcements.

Sunderland’s first summer signing came with the permanent acquisition of Roma loanee Enzo Le Fee, with the Black Cats obligated to buy the inventive French midfielder for £20m, after Le Fee won the “most important game of his life” in the play-off final.

In addition to Le Fee, Sunderland have signed Reinildo Mandava, Noah Sadiki, Chesmedine Talbi, Simon Adingra, and Habib Diarra to constitute an outlay of over £100m.

With Sunderland showing they are not intent on just making up the numbers in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, those high-profile signings have paved the way for potential loan exits for highly coveted young talents.

EFL Analysis understands, via our Chief Football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, that a host of clubs are looking to land Sunderland defensive prospect Jenson Jones.

The 19-year-old full-back, who can play either side of defence, has been actively involved in Sunderland’s pre-season and has impressed Le Bris.

Jones is a target for a number of teams who are looking at taking him on a season-long loan.

EFL Analysis can confirm that Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers, Crewe Alexandra, and Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock are among those looking to seal a deal for Jones.

• READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth in transfer battle to sign ‘brilliant’ Sunderland ace with £1m price tag

Jenson Jones has impressed Regis Le Bris in Sunderland’s pre-season

Sunderland have made a stellar start to Premier League pre-season preparations, bedding in the multitude of recruits and shifting the deadwood.

After draws with Gateshead and Sevilla, as well as a comfortable victory over South Shields, Sunderland took on Portuguese giants Sporting in a pre-season friendly affair on Monday evening.

Le Bris’ side were beaten 1-0, with an early Sporting goal proving decisive, with Jones making an impression after entering the fray for the second-half.

Against some quality Sporting wingers, Jones held his own defensively and made one attacking burst inside that troubled the Portuguese outfit.

After the game, Sunderland Echo reporter James Copley said on X: “Jenson Jones is a terrific young player.”

With first-team minutes inevitably going to be hard to come by for the highly-rated defender, a loan stint in the EFL or SPL would be the ideal destination for the Sunderland academy graduate’s development, who would certainly improve one of the aforementioned suitors.