Midfielder opens door to Sunderland move and he’ll help replace Diallo

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Thom Haye has opened the door to a summer move to Sunderland while admitting that he will consider a move away from Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen. 

At just 23, no team in the entirety of England’s second tier had a younger average XI than Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland in 2022/23.  

And while a lack of experience didn’t exactly hold the Black Cats back – only an outstanding Luton Town side denying them a place in the Championship play-off final – it is easy to see what Thom Haye could bring to the Stadium of Light. 

In short, the sort of nous and been-there-done-that mentality that promises potentially elevate the likes of Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah alongside him in the Sunderland engine room. Haye, who turned 28 in February, would arrive on Wearside on the back of an excellent individual campaign at Heerenveen, captaining the Eredivisie outfit on the odd occasion. 

Is Thom Haye on his way to Sunderland?

Frisian publication LC report that Sunderland, as well as Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse, could offer Haye a change of scenery as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.  

The former Dutch U21 international is not exactly desperate to depart. But, having spent almost the entirety of his career in the Netherlands – bar a short-lived spell in Italy with Lecce – Haye would certainly consider a new challenge. 

“In principle, I still have a contract here. I know there is interest and things are going on. But I’m pushing all of that off me,” Haye tells the Omroep Fryslan. 

“I find that difficult to say (if I expect to leave). I’ve always said that I can still take a step from Heerenveen. That is my ambition. But I am also in the right place here. It is not that I have to leave.  

“But if something comes up that makes me excited, I want to take a step.”

When pressed further on Sunderland’s interest, the talented playmaker added; 

“I’ve read that too. I did inquire whether there is interest and that is correct, but I did not ask which clubs. I will see (what happens) after the season.” 

Haye, who started his career at AZ Alkmaar, is unlikely to set Sunderland back a sizeable fee, given that he will be a free-agent in 2024.

The Amsterdam-born midfielder scored three goals and set up three more for Heerenveen this term. His excellent set-piece delivery could at least help offset the loss of Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo.