A Sunderland first-team player is now wanted by a League One and a Championship club during this summer’s transfer window.
Sunderland and their first-team squad are undergoing some changes this summer, albeit rather slowly.
It’s been a chaotic 2024 for the Black Cats so far with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman having faced criticism following the four-month search process for a new head coach.
Since, Regis Le Bris has arrived at the Stadium of Light, and his side have three new players through the doors after Sunderland signed Ian Poveda earlier this month.
Many more are expected, as well as some potential outgoings too, with some big-money player sales potentially on the cards for Sunderland this summer.
There could also be some smaller scale player exits, either on loan or on permanent deals, as Sunderland and Speakman look to make some necessary changes to the side.
And one Sunderland player who could potentially seal a permanent exit from Wearside this summer is Elliot Embleton.
Blackpool and Derby County eyeing Elliot Embleton at Sunderland
Durham-born midfielder Embleton spent time with Middlesbrough as a youth player, but made his breakthrough with Sunderland.
Making his first-team debut for the Black Cats in 2017, Embleton has since gone on to make 92 appearances for Sunderland, with 11 goals and 10 assists, including a goal in the 2022 League One play-off final win vs Wycombe Wanderers.
But Embleton’s injury meant that he managed just one league appearance on loan with Derby County last season.
Now, per Alan Nixon on Patreon, Derby County are keen to re-sign Embleton, but League One Blackpool are more interested, with the Seasiders eyeing up a permanent swoop.
Embleton spent time on loan at Bloomfield Road during the 2020/21 League One season, scoring twice and assisting four more in 21 league outings for Blackpool.
Should Kristjaan Speakman and Sunderland offload Elliot Embleton this summer
It’s certainly been a tough last year for Embleton. Injury has derailed his progression, but he remains a player held in quite high regards by Sunderland fans.
He’s scoring midfielder, as his stats show, and he’s shown on multiple occasions that he can provide at League One level, having never really had a chance to impress in the Championship.
So a League One move could be the best thing for Embleton to get his progress back on an upwards trajectory, and a familiar setting in Blackpool could help with that.
For Sunderland, the midfield department isn’t exactly bulging with players. But allowing Embleton to leave could help to ensure that the likes of Chris Rigg has enough game-time opportunities to continue his own development.
So there’s definitely reason to believe that Embleton leaving could be best for all involved.