Five potential summer recruits for Sunderland AFC

Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland side have had an outstanding return to the Championship following promotion last season and haven’t shown any signs of slowing down.

The Black Cats are still within touching distance of the play-offs heading into the final four games of the season but if they were to fall just short, they will no doubt be looking to finish the job next year and make their return to the top flight since relegation back in 2017.

With that in mind, here are five potential summer targets Sunderland could look towards to bolster their squad.

5. Krystian Bielik – Derby

The former Arsenal midfielder is currently contracted to League One’s play-off chasers Derby County but is spending the current season on loan at Birmingham City. 

Bielik has made 32 appearances for the Blue’s and impressed week in week out.

With the loss of skipper Corry Evans halfway through the current season, Sunderland have been without that mould of combative defensive midfielder and Bielik could be a perfect acquisition for that position.

4. Scott Twine – Burnley 

Twine was a well documented target for Sunderland last summer before he eventually completed a move to now Championship leaders Burnley.

He has managed just 365 minutes in the league this year scoring just twice.

Now promotion has been confirmed for the Clarets, Twine will be unlikely to feature at all next season and a loan could be an option that suits all three parties.

3. Miles Leaburn – Charlton

The striker situation at Sunderland is one that hasn’t gone under the radar following Ross Stewart’s season ending injury weeks after the club lost Ellis Simms who was recalled by Everton.

Leaburn has set League One on fire this season with 11 goals in 32 appearances at just 19 years of age, something which also fits the profile that the club aim for when recruiting players.

Being young and English, Leaburn wouldn’t leave on the cheap but could be an excellent addition for Sunderland as they continue to build for a successful future.

2. Jan Paul Van Hecke – Brighton

Another player that was linked with a move to Sunderland in both summer and January transfer windows. Van Hecke has made just four league appearances for high-flying Brighton and will no doubt be a player that will leave either on loan or permanently in the summer.

The 22-year-old centre half featured for Mowbray at Blackburn during his last year in charge of the club and impressed enough to be named their player of the season last campaign.

Whilst Sunderland’s defence has impressed throughout the season, injuries have hampered any hopes of a regularly starting back four and Van Hecke would provide fierce competition for Danny Batth and Dan Ballard who have been outstanding for the Black Cats.

1. Amad Diallo – Manchester United

Possibly the most ambitious of the five but its certainly a question worth asking for Sunderland. Amad has contributed immensely to Sunderland’s season and will no doubt continue to do so for the remaining fixtures.

Amad has scored 13 goals and registered three assists so far, numbers that his parent club will be thrilled at with his continuous development in England.

It may be possible that Manchester United want to see Amad step up to the Premier League next season however another season at the top end of the Championship, playing regularly may be just as appealing for all parties.