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Sunderland’s recruitment will be crucial ahead of their Premier League return to try and dodge an instant relegation.
With Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus setting the summer transfer budget at around £100m following the club’s Premier League promotion, the Black Cats’ hierarchy have already been busy in the summer transfer window.
With potential outgoings, Jobe Bellingham has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga, although the situation remains unresolved, as Roma express interest in Dan Neil.
In terms of incomings, Roma loanee Enzo Le Fee became Sunderland’s first summer signing due to the promotion clause in his contract, and a £20m move for Monaco defender Wilfried Singo has been mooted.
Recruitment is one of the biggest tasks on Regis Le Bris’ summer to-do list, and it has now been revealed which two positions Sunderland are “prioritising” initially in the transfer window.
Sunderland are ‘prioritising’ two key positions in summer transfer window
With the summer transfer window open for business, before closing amid the Club World Cup and reopening again on June 16, Sunderland’s business is expected to be extensive, both in terms of incomings and departures.
Upon the window opening, Sky Sports have revealed that Sunderland are “prioritising” two key positions in the early stages of the window.
Sky Sports Premier League posted: “Sunderland are still thought to be assessing their plans for the summer after securing promotion via the play-offs last weekend.
“However, they are believed to be prioritising new wingers and full-backs initially.”
As a result, EFL Analysis has dissected two options at full-back and two wingers that Sunderland could target this summer.
Kyle Walker-Peters
Versatile full-back Kyle Walker-Peters is out of contract at St Mary’s this summer, and Sunderland should capitalise on Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
At 28, the former Spurs full-back would go against the grain of Sunderland’s youth-first football philosophy, which has been the source of their success this season, but his experience would be vital for their top flight campaign.
Englishman Walker-Peters started 33 times for Southampton this season, in a handful of defensive positions, and would bring the crucial ability to capably play both full-back roles.
Harrison Burrows
Harrison Burrows was in exceptional form for Chris Wilder’s Blades throughout the campaign despite Sheffield United falling to defeat in the play-off final.
23-year-old Burrows notched six goals and six assists in 48 second tier appearances this season, in his first year at Bramall Lane after arriving from Peterborough, to cement himself as one of the top full-backs in the Championship.
Le Bris instructs his full-backs to assist in the attacking phases, linking up with their respective wingers and being involved in possession, which would suit the ample attacking abilities of Burrows perfectly, if the Blades could be convinced to part for an eight-figure fee.
Kwame Poku
In terms of wingers, Peterborough ace Kwame Poku would be an impressive option for the Black Cats to recruit, but face stern competition from Birmingham City, who have long been linked with Poku.
The Posh’s Director of Football, Barry Fry, has slapped a £10m price tag on Poku despite his contract expiring this summer, which highlights the ability and potential of the 23-year-old.
In League One, Poku scored 12 goals and assisted eight in 27 outings, despite his campaign being limited due to injuries.
| Kwame Poku | Patrick Roberts |
| Games – 31 | Games – 48 |
| Goals – 12 | Goals – 2 |
| Assists – 10 | Assists – 8 |
Poku would provide direct competition for Patrick Roberts and solve the issue of goalscoring firepower in Sunderland’s right-wing ranks, with Ian Poveda one player likely to leave Sunderland this summer.
The Ghanaian has been described as “unplayable” by Posh boss Darren Ferguson this season, and Sunderland should join the transfer race for Poku and fight the Blues for his services.
Simon Adingra
Tommy Watson completed the perfect end to his Sunderland story at Wembley, before his £11m switch to Brighton, and his soon to be teammate Simon Adingra could come the opposite way.
Amid Brighton’s interest in Watson during the January window, Adingra’s switch to Sunderland was mooted during the discussions, and he is therefore clearly a talent the Black Cats’ hierarchy admires.
23-year-old Adingra boasts 60 games of top flight experience since his Amex switch from Union St Gilloise, scoring seven goals and notching three assists in the process, and firing in the Europa League last season.
The Ivorian can operate dangerously on both flanks, has years ahead to develop his skills, and would be a stellar addition to the Black Cats’ attacking areas.