As ever, Sunderland will check out what’s available on the free agent market in the summer with Kristjaan Speakman certainly not one to pass up on a bargain.
Sunderland, since their return to the Championship back in 2022, have been spending more and more money in the transfer windows, to the owners‘ credit.
Although Kyril Louis-Dreyfus can be accused of penny pinching and whatnot, he and Sunderland are certainly building sustainably towards the Premier League, with this season bringing the fruits of their labour.
Despite a mixed run of form under Regis Le Bris, Sunderland have gone from worrying about getting drawn into a relegation battle at the end of last season, to being frustrated at falling away from the top two.
A 3-0 defeat at Coventry City last time out was a reminder perhaps of how tough the task at hand is. But Sunderland remain in a very good position and next summer, whether the Black Cats are promoted or not, Sunderland will go about their transfer business as they have been over the last few years.
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Regis Le Bris leaves door open on Sunderland deal for Chris Mepham
Be it free agents, permanent signings or loans, Sunderland will scout any and every market in the summer. And one player who’ll surely come into discussions at the Stadium of Light is Bournemouth loan man Chris Mepham who’s featured 30 times in the Championship this season, scoring once.
The Welshman is out of contract at Bournemouth in the summer. Previously, transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed to Sunderland AFC News that Bournemouth plan to release Mepham in the summer, despite holding a one-year option in his current contract.
And speaking to The Northern Echo, Le Bris has now left the door open to a possible permanent deal for Mepham; failing to rule out the possibility but insisting that it’s a decision to be made in the summer.
The Frenchman said: “It’s too early to define what will happen next season. The group is in a really good place. We will see at the end of the season. Sometimes you would like to keep the same and if you keep the same next season it could be worse or it could be even better. We don’t know, it’s too early.”
What Kristjaan Speakman and Chris Mepham say about permanent Sunderland move
Likewise, Mepham has hinted at his willingness to sign for Sunderland, stating: “You do look at options that might be available to you in the summer. It’s also important to focus on the now. I’ve made it clear I love playing my football here.”
And earlier in the season too, Kristjaan Speakman weighed in on the matter. Speakman said of Mepham’s Sunderland future: “I think that’s just a conversation we will pick up at the end of the season. From Chris’ perspective and from our perspective, and from Bournemouth’s perspective – that was always the plan.”
However, Bailey also revealed to Sunderland AFC News that there’s more than just Sunderland taking a look at Mepham ahead of the summer.
He’s been a star of the season for the Black Cats and available on a free transfer, it’s no surprise whatsoever to learn that some top-end Championship clubs are looking at the 27-year-old, along with some bottom-end Premier League teams as well.
A deal for Mepham is far from inevitable. But with the player happy on Wearside, it’s certainly an advantage for Sunderland.