Sunderland and Sheffield United could be trumped by Premier League outfit in pursuit of Chris Mepham

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Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham is in high demand after his impressive loan spell at Sunderland helped the Black Cats to Premier League promotion.

Sunderland’s win in the Championship play-off final has drastically changed the club’s direction of travel in the summer transfer window.

Enzo Le Fee became the club’s permanent signing, due to the promotion obligation to buy clause in his Roma loan deal, for a fee in the region of £20 million.

Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has set the transfer budget ahead of next season’s Premier League at around £100 million, which could increase with the departure of Tommy Watson to Brighton and Jobe Bellingham’s imminent Borussia Dortmund transfer.

In addition to Le Fee, another 24/25 loanee Sunderland fans are desperate to see sign permanently is Chris Mepham, but they could be beaten by a fellow top flight outfit in their pursuit.

• READ MORE: Enzo Le Fee reveals why Sunderland’s Championship play-off final was ‘most important game of his life’

Sunderland and Sheffield United could be trumped by Burnley in signing Chris Mepham

Bournemouth loanee Mepham was an imperative figure in Regis Le Bris’ promotion-winning side, with the Welsh international making 40 Championship appearances, including the play-off final as an early substitute after Luke O’Nien was forced off after one minute.

As a result of his stellar season, Sunderland are exploring the possibility of permanently signing the 27-year-old, but face competition from the Blades, who’ve also targeted Mepham.

However, EFL Analysis’ Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has exclusively told us that both the Black Cats and the Blades could be trumped by newly-promoted Burnley in the pursuit of Mepham.

Bailey revealed: “I don’t think he’s out of the realms of possibility for Sunderland. He did a really good job there. It’ll depend on what Bournemouth are asking. He’s definitely available. But he would be a fantastic signing for Sheffield United as well.

“I think he’s going to leave, and going back to Sunderland is something the player would like, but the Sheffield United thing is there as well.

“I think it is really between those two at the moment. Because he’s on a good wage as well, it would take a team with a decent budget in the Championship to get him.

“Or, it could be one of those promoted teams. Do we see Burnley coming in for him? They may have to lose Maxime Esteve, and they’ve lost CJ Egan-Riley already. I wouldn’t rule Burnley out of the running on that one.”

Mepham’s current Cherries deal expires at the end of next month, but Bournemouth have the option to trigger a 12-month extension.

They are expected to do so and look to sell the centre-half this summer to recoup some of the £12 million they shelled out to Brentford for his signature in 2018.

With sufficient interest in his services this summer, Mepham’s comments made earlier this season about his contractual situation give the biggest indication as to where his footballing future could lie.

• READ MORE: Sunderland fans are deeply divided over transfer target Tommy Doyle as ‘talented’ star set to leave Wolves

Sunderland’s retained list for the 2025/26 season confirmed Mepham’s return to the Vitality Stadium ahead of the summer transfer window.

After cementing himself as one of the Championship’s top centre-backs, Sunderland fans are hoping Mepham makes the move permanently, and becomes part of their Premier League squad for next season.

With his Cherries future seemingly over, Mepham’s comments made amidst the Black Cats’ promotion-winning campaign were telling, and will fill the Wearside faithful with optimism.

Via the Sunderland Echo, Mepham said: “I think the most important thing for me at this stage of my career is just playing football and getting regular game time, which is something I’ve probably missed over the last couple of years.

“I’ve made it clear I love playing my football here. I love my connection I’ve made with my teammates and the staff and fans, and if it’s a possibility in the summer, it’s definitely one I’d be open to. But a lot has to happen before that.”

The Black Cats are in desperate need of defensive recruits this summer, and have recently been linked with a £20m move for Monaco defender Wilfried Singo as well as an ambitious £25m deal for Liverpool star Joe Gomez.

With Mepham “open” to a permanent move, and Bournemouth looking to sell, only the financial aspects potentially stand in Sunderland’s way.

The Wearside faithful are all desperate to see such an integral member of the play-off campaign, who has 61 Premier League appearances under his belt already, make his loan stint a permanent move this summer.