Black Cats target ‘creative’ and ‘bold’ players to strengthen side
Sunderland are targeting three key qualities as they bid to build a squad capable of winning promotion from League One.
Lee Johnson, Kristjaan Speakman and the club’s recruitment team are currently assessing a number of potential targets ahead of a first foray into the market.
Sunderland have already allowed seven players to leave the club following the expiration of their contracts, while talks are ongoing with Charlie Wyke, Denver Hume, Aiden McGeady and Luke O’Nien on extending their stays.
However, even if all of the quartet put pen to paper, it is set to be a busy summer when it comes to new faces at the Stadium of Light.
And sporting director Speakman offered an update on the type of players the club will be pursuing this summer during the latest structured dialogue meeting between club officials and fans.
Notes from the meeting state Speakman said Sunderland will be looking for ‘industrious players, who make bold decisions and have creativity’.
They also make reference to the fact that, following the impact of coronavirus, this summer could bring ‘unknown factors in the transfer market with agents, players and clubs’.
Part of Speakman’s remit, therefore, is to ‘look at the details and see if things are being delivered’.
A large number of transfers across the divisions this season are set to involve free agents, with a big pool of outof-contract players available.
Sunderland have also been linked with players under contract at other clubs – notably ex-loanees Jordan Jones and Dion Sanderson.