Sunderland face losing a number of key players in the summer transfer window.
The Sunderland squad’s market value has sky-rocketed since they were promoted back in 2022.
Kristjaan Speakman was credited with some excellent transfer business following their jump up to the Championship, bringing in the likes of Dan Ballard, Trai Hume and Aji Alese.
Many of their best players made the step up from League One with great success too, adding plenty of cash onto their own market value.
However, Sunderland’s failure to compete this season has left them in a vulnerable position.
The likes of Jack Clarke and Anthony Patterson have already been linked with moves away, and it seems likely that they will face competition from the Premier League to keep hold of their prized assets.
Ahead of a busy summer transfer window, we have taken a look at the market value of each of their senior players, compared to when they were promoted in 2022, or when they joined the club later on (as per transfermarkt)…
Sunderland’s market value compared to 2022
Elliot Embleton – £770k (-£900k)
Elliot Embleton was a regular for Sunderland in League One, but his career has been littered with injuries ever since.
Timothee Pembele – £2.58m (-860k)
Timothee Pembele only joined Sunderland last summer, and his market value has already been cut by £860,000.
When the Black Cats were promoted in May 2022, the Frenchman was playing on loan at Bordeaux, where his market value was significantly higher at £5.16m.
The 25-year-old will enter the final 12 months of his contract next season and so could be offloaded.
Bradley Dack – £1.03m (-£520k)
Bradley Dack’s horrid injury record and looming contract expiry makes his value being over £1m particularly surprising.
The 30-year-old looks set to leave the Stadium of Light for free this summer.
Corry Evans – £172k (-£172k)
Corry Evans’ value has halved over the last two years, having spent half of that on the treatment table.
The midfielder is out of contract this summer and is approaching his 34th birthday, so it comes as no surprise that his value is on the decline.
Jay Matete – £260k (-£170k)
Jay Matete was valued at £430k when Sunderland were promoted and hasn’t been back to those heights since winning promotion with Plymouth.
The midfielder’s value has only decreased since, having spent most of the season sidelined.
Adil Aouchiche – £1.72m (-£170k)
Adil Aouchiche has struggled for regular game-time on Wearside, but he has certainly shown glimpses of promise.
The Frenchman will surely see his value increase if he can pick up some more minutes next season.
Nazariy Rusyn – £1.72m (-)
Nazariy Rusyn’s market value hasn’t changed since joining Sunderland.
The striker only scored two goals this season, but fans will be hopeful he can have a much better second campaign once he is more settled.
Luis Hemir – £520k (-)
Hemir’s time at Sunderland has been a disaster so far, but his form hasn’t caused a dent in his transfer value.
The striker could go out on loan next season and increase it.
Nathan Bishop – £260k (-)
Nathan Bishop first Championship appearance came on the final day of the campaign, and he certainly didn’t cover himself in glory.
Jenson Seelt – £1.72m (-)
The Dutchman’s market value has stayed the same since joining Sunderland last summer, despite his long-term injury that could keep him out until the end of the year.
Seelt’s market value was only £340,000 back in 2022, when he was playing for PSV U21s.
Chris Rigg – £260k (-)
Chris Rigg didn’t even have a market value on transfermarkt when Sunderland were promoted, as he was still playing for their U18s.
The teenager’s current scholarship deal means he could well leave for cheaper than he is worth, but could easily be worth millions very soon.
Nectarios Triantis – £260k (+40k)
Transfermarkt doesn’t show Traintis’ value when he joined Sunderland, though he was worth £240,000 when playing for Central Coast Mariners just months before.
The Australian’s value has slightly increased during his time on Wearside, though with his most recent value marked before his loan move to Scotland, it’s hard to see why.
Leo Hjelde – £1.29m (+260k)
Despite an underwhelming start to life on Wearside, Leo Hjelde’s value has increased over the last few months.
The defender only turns 21 years old this summer, so is likely to keep growing in value.
Aji Alese – £860k (+£430k)
Aji Alese’s market value has doubled since he joined Sunderland from West Ham in 2022.
The defender’s value very quickly increased when he arrived on Wearside, though injuries have seen it take a hit.
Luke O’Nien – £1.55m (+520k)
Despite approaching his 30th birthday, Luke O’Nien’s market value has slightly increased since he helped win promotion to the Championship.
The Black Cats only paid around £200,000 for the utility man back in 2018.
Niall Huggins – £690k (+£520k)
Huggins was only worth £170,000 when Sunderland were promoted and failed to add any value as he suffered a number of injuries.
However, a much improved first half of the current campaign saw his value shoot up significantly.
Dan Ballard – £3.27m (+£1.12m)
Dan Ballard didn’t join Sunderland until September 2022, for a reported fee of £2 million – though his market value was then £2.5m.
The centre-back was previously linked with a move to Everton, though there is no chance the Black Cats would sell up for his market value.
Patrick Roberts – £2.75m (+£1.46m)
Patrick Roberts’ increase is understandable for his performances last season, though it is surprising it hasn’t decreased again this time round.
The winger has struggled with injury this term and hasn’t scored a single goal.
Abdoullah Ba – £2.58m (+£1.72m)
The Frenchman was only valued at £860k when he joined Sunderland, but his value has since sky-rocketed.
Abdoullah Ba made 39 appearances last term, but scored only one goal in his last 30 matches.
Pierre Ekwah – £2.41m (+£2.11m)
Pierre Ekwah was valued at only £300,00 just two months before he joined Sunderland.
According to transfermarkt, his value has increased by almost £2 million since last summer, despite a very disappointing campaign for the midfielder.
Romaine Mundle – £2.75m (+£2.23m)
Romaine Mundle’s switch to Wearside has seen his value increase a lot since he was at Standard Liege.
However, that certainly hasn’t been reflected in his performances, with the winger netting once in eleven appearances.
Trai Hume – £4.3m (+£4.08m)
Trai Hume was relatively unknown when he arrived on Wearside from Linfield, and didn’t manage to earn himself a place in the starting line-up until December 2022.
The defender has since gone from strength to strength, while he is reportedly wanted by Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Leeds, Leicester and Napoli.
Dan Neil – £4.3m (+4.21m)
Dan Neil has unsurprisingly made up most of his market value since winning promotion following an ‘unbelievable‘ campaign.
The midfielder has been attracting interest for years now, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool now keen.
Jobe Bellingham – £7.74m (+3.44m)
Jobe was worth around £4.3 million last summer, but his regular spot in Sunderland’s starting line-up has seen his value rise.
The midfielder has been linked with clubs all over Europe, but he will certainly be a player the Black Cats want to keep.
Anthony Patterson – £8.6m (+£8.3m)
Despite picking up ten clean sheets in 23 games in League One, Patterson’s market value was only £258,000 in summer 2022.
The goalkeeper has now been linked to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, while recent reports have claimed that Sheffield United are preparing a £8m bid for him.
Jack Clarke – £12.9m (+£9.8m)
Jack Clarke has netted 24 goals and provided 16 assists since Sunderland were promoted, so it is no surprise how much he is now worth.
However, there is no chance that the Black Cats would part ways with him for only £12.9m.