Sunderland are set for an incredibly busy end to the transfer window, with several transfers set to take place.
Sunderland will be looking to conclude several deals before Deadline Day, with Regis Le Bris’ side looking likely to be slimmed down of the deadwood, whilst also looking to bring in a handful of attackers.
Whilst there hasn’t quite been an abundance of signings at Sunderland this summer, Kristjaan Speakman has carefully and shrewdly recruited Championship experience, of which is embodied in the arrival of Alan Browne from Preston North End.
Ian Poveda has also arrived at Sunderland, however he is set to just be eased into first team football after Le Bris made it clear that he didn’t want to risk the winger into a premature return to first-team football.
Whilst progress this window has clearly been a lot more slow and steady, efforts are set to be ramped up in the coming days, with there being many deals yet to be done for Sunderland.
- READ MORE: Along with Tom Cannon, Sunderland could still sign another Leicester City man before August 30th
Three players Sunderland could sign before Deadline Day
Tom Cannon
Leicester City forward Tom Cannon is currently being hotly-pursued by several Championship clubs, however Sunderland look to be a likely suitor for the former Preston North End striker after a bid of £5million was lodged.
The striker has a proven track record in the Championship and would certainly be quite a coup if Speakman is able to pull off the signing.
Sunderland currently face competition from Norwich City, Stoke City and Sheffield United, who are all ‘expected to make offers ahead of Friday’s deadline’.
Manuel Benson
Burnley winger Manuel Benson is currently available for transfer after Clarets boss Scott Parker confirmed he was up for sale after being left out of the squad for their loss at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have identified the winger as a suitable option to replace Jack Clarke, who has moved on from Wearside to Premier League side Ipswich Town.
The Black Cats target shone for Burnley in the 2022/23 Championship season, scoring 11 goals in 33 appearances.
Alexandre Mendy
The never-ending Alexandre Mendy transfer saga this summer has seen the striker on the brink of joining up with the Black Cats, to being stuck at Ligue 2 side Caen, where he has openly stated his desire to leave the club.
The Guinea-Bissau international is still very much wanted by Sunderland, and Speakman is willing to offer a seven-figure fee to lure the striker towards Wearside, and the player wants to join Sunderland despite interest from elsewhere.
- READ MORE: Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris facing fresh selection call vs Portsmouth, but the answer is obvious
Four players who could leave Sunderland this week
Adil Aouchiche
Sunderland midfielder Adil Aouchiche has expressed his concerns at his current situation at the club and it looks increasingly likely that the Frenchman will be moved on before August 30th, with his agent actively looking for a club to snap him up.
The Black Cats man was always going to struggle for game time under Le Bris, as the pair were both at FC Lorient at the same time, and the pair did not get on incredibly well, with the French boss handing the youngster just 11 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign.
Aouchiche managed 29 appearances last season, however he has been handed very little action in the league so far under Le Bris.
Jewison Bennette
Despite impressing for the U21 side in a 3-2 win against Middlesbrough on Monday, Jewison Bennette still looks likely to move on from Sunderland this summer in a loan move.
League One side Reading are reportedly interested in snapping up the Costa Rican winger, who is still yet to register a league game under Le Bris, who appears to have left the attacker out of his plans despite the departure of Clarke in the past week.
Pierre Ekwah
Sunderland’s defensive-midfielder Pierre Ekwah also looks increasingly likely to move on this summer in what would be a permanent deal.
The Black Cats have slapped a £6million price tag on one of their most prized assets, with Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne reportedly joining the race alongside Premier League side Crystal Palace for the midfielder.
Sunderland had previously rejected Udinese’s £4.3million offer for the Frenchman, with the club standing firm on their valuation.
Timothee Pembele
With Trai Hume looking to be Le Bris’ number one option at right-back, it will be likely that Timothee Pembele will get very limited game time this season, and a deal that would fit for both the club and the player if he is moved on from the Stadium of Light.
French side Le Havre have reportedly identified the full-back in what would be a potential loan deal for the defender.