Sunderland look set to make their second signing of the summer this week.
Alan Browne is reportedly scheduled for a medical today, having turned down Preston North End’s most lucrative contract in their history.
The midfielder arrives with almost 350 appearances in the Championship, while he was also named the Lilywhites’ Player of the Year last season.
Sunderland made it clear they were eager to bring in some experience into the midfield, having already been linked with 33-year-old Oliver Norwood.
The 2023-24 campaign was disastrous for the Black Cats, who fell to 16th place after Tony Mowbray was sacked in December.
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Sunderland told they don’t need a squad ‘overhaul’
Despite an extremely underwhelming season, journalist Michael Graham believes the club don’t need an ‘overhaul’ and should instead focus on three things.
He wrote on X: “If Sunderland can sign some quality midfield experience on a free, keep the players they want to keep, and then concentrate their summer cash on a proper striker, it’ll be a brilliant summer for them.
“Fine tuning needed, not overhaul.”
So what should Kristjaan Speakman do now?
Sunderland have already partially ticked those boxes with the impending arrival of Browne, while Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham are expected to stay for at least another year.
The Wearside outfit will still be desperate to keep hold of their other prized assets, but they will certainly consider it a job well done if Jack Clarke is the only one to leave.
The winger has been heavily linked with the exit door since last summer, and with half of the Premier League interested, it looks increasingly likely that he could leave.
Jobe and Rigg looked the next most likely, and with them now sticking around, there is much less fear that all their biggest stars could head for the door in the coming months.
Finding a proper striker is their biggest challenge and that has already been proven in the last 18 months or so.
However, this time round Sunderland could have plenty of cash from Clarke’s potential departure.
Strikers are in-demand in the Championship and there is no chance of the Black Cats signing a proven goalscorer for pennies.
They are going to have to splash out on someone who can really push them up the table, and if they can help them win promotion then a seven-figure fee will certainly seem worth it come the end of the season.