Sunderland are really being tested this week as the interest creeps in for their prized assets.
Lazio are reportedly eager to reignite their interest in Jobe Bellingham, though there will be less concern over his future after it was previously claimed he was prepared to stay at Sunderland a further year.
Dan Ballard is thought to be a major target for French club RC Lens, while Udinese have made an offer to sign Pierre Ekwah.
Sunderland’s biggest stars are attracting interest from across Europe and it certainly doesn’t stop there.
It was reported yesterday by journalist Michael Graham that Turkish outfit Galatasaray had seen a £7 million bid rejected for Trai Hume.
The Black Cats only paid around £200,000 for the defender back in 2022, but he has since become one of their most important players and has seen his valuation sky-rocket.
Sunderland certainly won’t want to sell Hume, though he is likely to have a price tag that could tempt the club to part ways with their right-back if met.
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Sunderland will owe Linfield a sell-on clause for Hume
Galatasaray could well have to stump up their offer to the eight figures though, with Sunderland likely to take into consideration the sell-on clause that Linfield will receive if he does leave Wearside.
According to accountant and writer Chris Weatherspoon, the Northern Irish club will be due 15% of any fee over £150k.
He wrote on X: “And Linfield are due 15% of any fee over £150k that #SAFC receive on sale of Trai Hume. £7m offer would have been worth a shade under £6m to #SAFC if accepted.”
How much the Black Cats should demand from Galatasaray
Hume won the most tackles in the Championship last year and certainly isn’t easily replaced.
Even if Linfield weren’t set to receive any cash, Sunderland should be demanding in excess of £10m for the 22-year-old this summer.
Hume still has three years with the option of a further year left on his contract and doesn’t even turn 23 until March.
He is far from the finished product and is still likely capable of playing towards the bottom end of the Premier League.
The Black Cats need to keep hold of the full-back, and if they are to sell him, demand a much higher fee from the Champions League club.
Hume could well be tempted by the promise of European football though, but the likelihood of him gaining a place in their starting line-up seems quite unlikely.