The five players that Sunderland could realistically target at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The World Cup has always been a great stage for players to make themselves noticed and get a transfer off the back of it.
This summer’s tournament in Russia will be no different, with some huge deals likely to be completed once it is over.
For recently relegated Sunderland, who will be playing next season in League One, they may not be looking at the game’s biggest players currently but here are five who could be realistic targets at the Stadium of Light.
Ghaylene Chaalali, Tunisia
Included in his national team’s squad alongside current Black Cats star Wahbi Khazri, the 24-year-old is a relatively new addition on the international stage having only made his senior debut last June but now has seven caps and played in both of the most recent friendlies against Portugal and Turkey.
Chaalali is a central midfielder, an area new manager Jack Ross could be targeting with the Sunderland Echo reporting Lee Cattermole and Didier Ndong will be leaving, and has spent his entire career to date with Esperance in Tunis.
Eric Davis, Panama
Like Chaalali, it should be fairly simple for supporters on Wearside to also catch a glimpse of Davis as he will be playing against England in Group G.
The 27-year-old is a left-back who despite his Central American origins, currently plays his club football in Europe for Dunajska Streda in the Slovakian top flight.
Jamie Maclaren, Australia
Maclaren actually started his career in English football, coming through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers but never making a senior appearance before making a name for himself back in his homeland with Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar.
This earned the striker a move to Darmstadt in 2. Bundesliga in 2017, although the 24-year-old spent the past six months on loan in Scotland with Hibernian – where he scored eight goals in 15 games – and Ross is therefore sure to be aware of a forward who could well be available for another loan stint.
Frederik Schram, Iceland
The goalkeeper position was a huge issue for the North East outfit over the past 12 months, with new signings Robbin Ruiter and Jason Steele, as well as loanee Lee Camp, failing to impress at various stages throughout the campaign.
Which is why a new option between the sticks might well be considered by Ross and Iceland international Schram, who plays for Roskilde in Denmark, could be one to watch as his country prepare for their first ever World Cup.
Mehdi Torabi, Iran
An attacking winger who scored 10 goals in 27 league matches as his team Saipa finished fourth in the Iranian top tier, Torabi’s nation have the tough task of taking on Spain, Portugal and Morocco in Group B.
The 23-year-old may never have played away from his home nation in his career so far, but an eye-catching tournament could change all that.
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