Sunderland signed nine new players in the summer, but were snubbed by at least one.
Sunderland enjoyed a fruitful summer transfer window this year.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is coming under praise for his work in the summer, which saw four new names arrive on deadline day alone.
What was a quite mixed summer transfer window up until deadline day turned into a positive one.
All of Chris Mepham, Salis Abdul Samed, Milan Aleksic, and Ahmed Abdullahi arrived on the final day of the summer transfer window.
And Sunderland were linked with several other names on deadline day who didn’t eventually move to the Stadium of Light.
Among those names were Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana, who on Wednesday agreed a loan move to AEK Athens with a £20million buy option, but has since seen the deal fall through.
And there’s bound to be other names who Sunderland wanted but missed out on; many of whom we may never find out about.
But one such name has now been uncovered.
Sunderland tried to sign Conal McDermott before Portsmouth move
Sunderland are placing an increasing amount of focus on their youth academy, and on adding players to it.
One name who Speakman wanted to bring in over the summer is 17-year-old goalkeeper Conal McDermott.
But an emerging report from The Portsmouth News says that Sunderland missed out on the signing of former Derry City man McDermott, who signed a two-year scholarship at Pompey in the summer.
The Irishman opted for a move to Fratton Park after spending time on trial with the club.
Why Conal McDermott may regret not joining Sunderland
Sunderland had concrete interest in the teenager, though it seems as though Portsmouth simply got there before the Black Cats.
But McDermott would’ve had a clear path to the first-team at Sunderland, and plenty of names to have take inspiration from.
Sunderland’s current no.1 Anthony Patterson came through the Sunderland academy, whilst the likes of Matty Young has shone in recent loan spells and looks like he could challenge for the no.1 spot next season.
So for young goalkeepers, and for young players in general, Sunderland is a very attractive proposition.
It continues to be so because the manager often shows faith in younger players, like how Regis Le Bris is doing so now with Chris Rigg who continues to go from strength to strength.