Sunderland look set to be playing in the Championship next season.
Tendayi Darikwa of Burnley celebrates
If Sunderland – as is now expected – suffer relegation to the Championship, they will need considerable reinforcements to aid their chances of an instant return to the Premier League.
As a result, here are some potential targets for Sunderland from each rival Premier League club, with a consideration for David Moyes’ budget at the Stadium of Light…
Arsenal: Chuba Akpom
The young striker has struggled to make an impact on loan at Brighton, and could be available for loan again this summer. Sunderland are hardly blessed with striking options themselves, so the Black Cats should at least consider a move for Akpom if available again.
Bournemouth: Marc Wilson
Out of favour at Bournemouth following a summer move from Stoke City, Wilson is currently on loan at West Brom, where he has yet to make an appearance. The 29-year-old Ireland international needs to settle down, and he could bring some experience to the Sunderland back line in the Championship.
Burnley: Tendayi Darikwa
Sunderland have endured well-documented problems at right back in recent years, but Burnley’s Darikwa could offer a solution. Darikwa, 25, has yet to make a single league appearance this season, playing just five times in all competitions, and Sunderland should be looking to offer the pacey right back some first-team football if relegated.
Chelsea: Michael Hector
Almost the forgotten man at Stamford Bridge, defender Hector is currently on loan at Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt but will return to Chelsea this summer. A Jamaican international who impressed in the Championship with Reading, 24-year-old Hector could be a smart defensive addition for Sunderland if Chelsea have no plans for him.
Crystal Palace: Bakary Sako
Malian winger Sako has struggled for first-team football this season, making just five substitute appearances in the Premier League. The 28-year-old – a proven Championship player – combines pace with power down the left when in full flight, and would bring a cutting edge to the Sunderland side.
Everton: Aiden McGeady
Cast aside by Ronald Koeman, Ireland international McGeady has starred on loan at Preston with five goals and eight assists to his name. The 30-year-old has no future at Goodison Park, and whilst North End want to keep hold of the flamboyant winger, Sunderland should be monitoring his situation.
Hull City: Shaun Maloney
Out of contract this summer, Maloney would give Sunderland a creative force with Championship experience. The Scot, 34, has started just two Premier League games this season but has a goal and an assist to his name, and the Black Cats could do much worse than land Maloney on a free transfer.
Leicester City: Tom Lawrence
Whilst he’s barely featured since joining the Foxes from Manchester United in 2014, Lawrence has been impressing on loan at Ipswich this season. With nine goals and seven assists to his name, the Welsh winger has starred at Portman Road, and Sunderland should be looking to land him either on loan or permanently this summer.
Liverpool: Andre Wisdom
A bizarre loan move to Austria with Red Bull Salzburg hasn’t worked out for Wisdom, and the likelihood is that he will be sold by Liverpool this summer. Primarily a right back who can also play at centre back, Wisdom would offer a versatile defensive option for Sunderland, whose defensive problems have been well documented.
Middlesbrough’s Grant Leadbitter celebrates scoring
Manchester City: Jason Denayer
Currently on loan at Sunderland, Denayer hasn’t done enough to convince Manchester City that he’s their future beyond Vincent Kompany, but Sunderland should retain an interest in his services. The Belgian has played in defence and in holding midfield, and another loan deal or even a permanent move should appeal to the Black Cats.
Manchester United: James Wilson
Wilson has missed most of the season though injury, which cut short a loan spell with Derby County, but he will be looking to get back to full fitness this summer ahead of the new season. A promising young striker, Wilson could thrive in a loan spell at Sunderland, where many of his former Manchester United team-mates currently reside.
Middlesbrough: Grant Leadbitter
He’s still Middlesbrough’s captain, so this is a bold one, but Sunderland should look to bring boyhood fan Leadbitter back to the club if possible this summer. Boro have the likes of Marten de Roon, Adam Clayton, Adam Forshaw and Adlene Guedioura, meaning Sunderland should try a surprise move to bring back midfielder Leadbitter.
Southampton: Sam Gallagher
Young striker Gallagher has spent the season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, where he has impressed with ten goals in 29 starts. His Southampton contract expires this summer, and the lanky striker could be a player that Sunderland build around for the future if they can land him.
Stoke City: Stephen Ireland
Ireland’s career hasn’t panned out like many expected, and at this point, he needs a fresh start away from Stoke after another frustrating campaign. In the Championship, Ireland could get back to his best, offering a creative, goalscoring midfielder if at full capacity – and Sunderland should consider him.
Blackburn Rovers’ Marvin Emnes in action with Newcastle United’s Isaac Hayden
Swansea City: Marvin Emnes
Another striker currently on loan at Blackburn, Dutchman Emnes has notched four goals and five assists in 29 appearances for Rovers. Formerly of Middlesbrough, Emnes could bring pace and skill to the Sunderland attack, given that he appears to have little future at Swansea.
Tottenham Hotspur: Joshua Onomah
One of Tottenham’s brightest young prospects, Onomah needs first-team football having seen his development stall a little this season. Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or out wide, Onomah would benefit from a loan move to the Championship, and Sunderland could offer him playing time – just as they did with current Spurs ace Danny Rose.
Watford: Tommie Hoban
Yet another Blackburn loanee, Hoban was enjoying a fine season at Ewood Park before injury blighted his campaign. The Irish defender is now 23 and needs to settle down with first-team football, and he could be a smart target for Sunderland – if Watford are willing to let him go.
West Bromwich Albion: Callum McManaman
Currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, McManaman’s career has stagnated since joining the Baggies from Wigan in January 2015. The 25-year-old wide man has started just once for Wednesday, but could bring drive and pace to the Sunderland side when Adnan Januzaj returns to Manchester United.
West Ham United: Ashley Fletcher
A promising young striker signed from Manchester United last summer, Fletcher has been given very little first-team football, and in truth, should have been loaned out in January. Pacey, strong and with great feet, Fletcher could thrive in the Championship, and Sunderland will need goals if Jermain Defoe leaves this summer.
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