Sunderland may need to replace a number of players this summer, one being right-back Trai Hume.
Trai Hume has again been one of the stars of the season for Sunderland, recording six assists from right-back, with one goal in 36 Championship appearances in 2024/25 so far.
The Northern Ireland international remains under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2027. But the 22-year-old has seen transfer interest grow over the last year or so.
In January, Hume had links to Fulham and Crystal Palace. Speaking recently, though, Hume said he loves playing for Sunderland and so he might not have any interest in leaving just yet.
Despite that, if a club comes in and matches the Sunderland owners’ reported £20million valuation of Hume, then it could make sense to cash in on the player they signed for just £200,000 in January 2022.
And the perfect replacement could be available for absolutely nothing this summer. Signing him would prove very difficult, but it’d be a statement signing nonetheless.
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Kyle Walker-Peters would be the perfect Trai Hume replacement at Sunderland
The 27-year-old former Spurs man has been something of a shining light in what’s been an otherwise disastrous season for Southampton. Kyle Walker-Peters has two assists in 26 Premier League games for the Saints, with his impressive performances having attracted the likes of Leeds United ahead of the summer.
Out of contract in the summer, Walker-Peters could be the ideal man to arrive at Sunderland either as back-up or as a replacement for Hume. Walker-Peters can also feature on the left so if he joined and Hume stayed, he could replace the misfiring Dennis Cirkin at left-back.
Signing him would be undoubtably difficult for Sunderland who would stand a better chance with promotion. But it’s the kind of statement signing they need to at least try and make if they’re to keep on building.
Kyle Walker-Peters’ impressive 2023/24 stats vs Trai Hume in 2024/25
Walker-Peters was one of the stars of the season for Southampton as they earned promotion from the Championship last time round, featuring 46 times in league fixtures, scoring twice and assisting four.
Not only that, but he did his defensive duties as well. Although he shares a lot of similarities with Hume, Walker-Peters might be even more of an attacking full-back than Hume has become this season, given Walker-Peters’ electric pace and a forward-thinking game.
| Statistic | Walker-Peters in 23/24 | Trai Hume in 24/25 |
| Interceptions-per-game | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Tackles-per-game | 1.7 | 2.6 |
| Dribbled past-per-game | 0.4 | 1 |
| Clearances-per-game | 1.2 | 2.9 |
| Expected assists | 7.43 | 6.95 |
| Touches-per-game | 90.8 | 70.5 |
| Big chances created | 12 | 12 |
| Key passes-per-game | 1 | 1.5 |
| Accurate passes-per-game | 60.3 (91%) | 36.1 (79%) |
Sunderland’s summer transfer business largely depends on whether or not they’re promoted, though, so Kristjaan Speakman should simply add Walker-Peters to a list of players he could sign either way this summer.