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Sunderland star is the subject of interest from Wolves, Everton, and several Spanish top flight clubs within the summer transfer window.
Following the Black Cats’ promotion to the Premier League, one Sunderland star who has dominated the headlines in terms of a potential departure is Jobe Bellingham, amid his links with a Bundesliga move.
EFL Analysis exclusively revealed in May before the play-off final, that Bellingham was likely to join Borussia Dortmund this summer, and the latest reports indicate that is set to be the case.
It’s a compliment to the Sunderland recruitment and coaching teams that several of their mainstay stars, including skipper Dan Neil, who Roma want, are persistently being tracked by elite clubs.
The latest Black Cats star to be credited with top flight interest is one that the club simply cannot afford to part ways with this summer.
- READ MORE: Rating all Sunderland signings made across 24/25 season, including 9/10 duo and ‘disastrous’ 3/10
Wolves, Everton and La Liga clubs ‘interested’ in Sunderland ace Trai Hume
Trai Hume has been in outstanding form for Sunderland this season, notching nine combined goal contributions in the Championship to play a pivotal role under Regis Le Bris.
Hume’s tough-tackling trademark style was personified in the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United, in which he left Blades forward Ben Brereton Diaz in a heap after a full-blooded tackle, and turned the momentum back in Sunderland’s favour.
Sunderland fans have heaped praise on Hume throughout the season for his exploits, which saw him surprisingly snubbed for the Championship Player of the Season award.
As a result of his stellar season, Sky Sports News has now revealed that “Wolves, Everton, and several La Liga clubs are interested” in Hume.
The defender was signed for just £200k from Linfield in January 2022, and is contracted at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2027, with Sunderland holding the option to extend for a further year.
Sunderland hold all the cards with Hume amid the interest in his services, and must play their hand correctly and ensure the “really important” versatile defender remains beyond this summer ahead of the Premier League return.
Sunderland must keep Trai Hume at all costs this summer amid transfer interest
Hume has been a regular at right-back in Le Bris’ first season as Sunderland boss.
After the Northern Ireland international scored Sunderland’s winner for the second successive game, Le Bris told the BBC of Hume: “For the last two games, Trai has been really important, and for the next fixture, other players will be able to score.”
“He’s really well balanced and if he can add this ability to his game, it changes his profile towards the next level. Trai is a warrior – even if he has an injury he wants to play.”
| Trai Hume for Sunderland |
| Games played – 132 |
| Goals – 6 |
| Assists – 9 |
| Yellow cards – 29 |
| Signed for – £200,000 |
Full-back targets are available to Sunderland if the interest in Hume materialises, but the Black Cats hierarchy should be fighting at all costs to retain his services beyond this summer.
Hume’s abilities on the pitch have cemented him as one of the top full-back prospects in the country.
The energetic defender affects the game in all thirds, being defensively resolute but comfortable in possession and able to contribute well in attack as evidenced by his three goals and six assists this season.
Combining that with his innate leadership skills, which saw Hume captain Northern Ireland for the first time this season in the Nations League against Luxembourg, makes him a supreme talent.
Despite the temptations of his estimated £10m transfer valuation, Hume is one that the Sunderland hierarchy cannot afford to part ways with this summer.
His importance to Le Bris’ side has been crystal clear within the Black Cats’ top flight promotion campaign. Equally, Hume will be crucial again next season, to help stave off an instant relegation.