Verdict on our transfer plans
Phil Parkinson has outlined his summer transfer plans with the Sunderland boss targeting up to eight new signings ahead of the new season, whenever that may start.
Parkinson has also been speaking about Will Grigg’s future having urged the striker to move to the North East after a disappointing start to his Sunderland career.
Our team of Sunderland writers deliver their verdicts on Parkinson’s summer plans, how many signings are needed and what the future holds for Grigg and the club.
Phil Smith - 'Craft, creativity and depth needed'
If we look at the (worryingly threadbare) squad Phil Parkinson has, the 'core' he has spoken of building around for next season is relatively clear.
Burge; O'Nien, Willis, Hume; Power, Dobson/ Scowen; Maguire, Gooch, Wyke.
Add Tom Flanagan and Bailey Wright to that, as he clearly hopes to do, and the shape of the 3-4-3 system he prefers begins to form.
We know he wants his side to be direct, with physicality in the middle of the park and a threat in the wide areas.
The key is in ensuring that there is still a craft and creativity in his squad, as well as a depth that can sustain a promotion push.
We saw the Black Cats ebb away at the worst possible time last season, and it's not to feel a big part of it was them becoming more predictable and not introducing some variety to the team.
While Parkinson has stressed he will be patient, it was also clear that there was a gentle nudge when he stressed that things can't become 'muddled', as well as urging progress to be made quickly on Flanagan's extension.
Parkinson's comments on WIll Grigg's future also felt pointed.
All parties know that the finances involved mean it may not be easy to go separate ways this summer.
There remain major question marks over whether he can fit Parkinson's direct style, but there remains a mutual recognition both parties might simply have to make it work.
Mark Donnelly - 'Which markets will Sunderland be shopping in this summer?'
Phil Parkinson's desire to bring in seven or eight new players tallies with how I thought Sunderland would approach the summer transfer market.
Providing Tom Flanagan puts pen to paper on the new deal that has been put to him, a minimum of seven new additions would leave the Black Cats with a healthy looking squad ahead of the new campaign.
It's encouraging to hear that Parkinson is already close to one deal and expect the wheels to grind into motion further once there is some more clarity on the 2020-21 season start date and whether Sunderland will be forced to cut their cloth to fit underneath a new salary cap.
It will also be interesting to see what markets Sunderland are shopping in this summer - and whether they look more towards the loan market given the minimal financial outlays such deals can require.
On Grigg, his comments in his recent interview were pretty telling, and suggest that he certainly feels that his best chance of reviving his career is away from Sunderland.
It's a summer exit that would seemingly suit both parties given that the striker doesn't seem to fit into Parkinson's desired system, but there will be a degree of realism required on both sides in order for a deal to be struck.
Sunderland won't be able to recoup the seven-figure sum they paid for the forward, and the player himself may have to take a pay cut.
Richard Mennear - 'No excuses for poor recruitment given the amount of time to plan'
There is no clear date yet for when League One may be able to start the 2020-21 campaign, end of August and September 12 two dates mentioned yet there are also rumours it could be much later in the year given the number of club's using the furlough scheme, which runs until October, and it also not yet clear when fans will be allowed in.
Much, therefore, to be decided. If it were to be September 12, which seems reasonable at the moment, then Sunderland don't have much time to lose.
Of course it has been fairly evident since April that the 2019-20 season wouldn't be resuming so there is no excuse for not having enough time to plan.
This, however, is Sunderland.
And as we all know, things are done the hard way.
Parkinson has mentioned seven or eight signings.
That seems reasonable but a minimum number, surely it can't be less than that.
Sunderland were too predictable last season, they need good options in every area, more creativity, more pace, more goalscorers, a new goalkeeper and the central of defence needs at least three reinforcements, with the club hoping Tom Flanagan and Bailey Wright commit.
There can be no excuse for not having a clear recruitment plan should finances allow, which is, of course, a key question.
Sunderland need to hit the ground running next season and sustain a promotion push throughout, something they have twice failed to do.
And Will Grigg? His Wearside spell has been a disaster and his long-term future lies away from the Stadium of Light but will any club be able to provide a suitable financial deal to Sunderland and the striker this summer given the Covid-19 pressures?
Grigg and Sunderland may be tied to each other a little longer and if that is the case then Parkinson simply has to get the best out of him, in a system that suits.
He's unlikely to be the No1 striker though, given how Parkinson's sides are usually set up.