Boss wishes leaving Cats well – as club keeps close eye on them
Lee Johnson says Sunderland will continue to monitor Josh Hawkes’ progress after the talented forward joined Tranmere Rovers on a permanent deal.
The Black Cats head coach has hinted the deal is structured in a way that could benefit the club in future – and that this will be standard policy moving forward.
Hawkes had a successful first half of the season on loan at Prenton Park and was unable to break into the first team on Wearside after a Covid-19 outbreak forced his recall to the club.
With Hawkes turning 23 on January 28, it was decided that the best avenue was for his career was to sign a longterm contract at Tranmere.
Centre-back Ollie Younger followed a similar path this month, joining Doncaster Rovers on an initial 18-month deal.
Johnson said: “With Josh, he’s got some real quality, but he’s a bit older than you think, because he’s sort of come through that academy system.
“If he’s 17 or 18, there’s no way we allow it to happen, but it’s similar to Denver.
“He’s just turned 23, he’s too good for under-3s football, but not quite making our starting XI, so you therefore have to make an assessment.
“You can always retain value and options to potentially pull a player back.
“When I was at Bristol City, there were 15 or 16 players that were deemed not quite good enough.
“However, through coaching and good attitudes on the player's part holds a value moving forward, whether that be through buy-back clauses, sell-on clauses, matching rights etc.
“We’ve always got our eyes on players who move on.”
Johnson also said Denver Hume had left the club on good terms, after he signed a long-term contract at League One rivals Portsmouth.
Hume was eager for more minutes and it is thought that Sunderland have recouped a fee in the region of £200,000 for the wing-back.
They are also understood to negotiated a significant sell-on clause as part of the deal.
Johnson said: “I've always been a believer in Denver in terms of what we can do with him and what he can do with himself.
“I think the frustrating thing was just the bitty nature of his injuries, which have been difficult for him.
“Then for him, I think it’s just those minutes on the pitch.
“He wanted more and rightly so, all players do.
“He does deserve those minutes and that’s why you come to the conclusion that if it’s a good offer, which it was from Portsmouth, it’s a good club, then you can retain some value and it’s the right thing to do.
“Denver goes with our best wishes, we want him to do well.
“I exchanged some really good messages with him and the club as a whole [left on good terms].
“We wanted Denver to come through here which was why we offered him that new contract in the summer and at the same time you protect that financial position.
“Someone has then come in and paid a transfer fee.
“There’s no animosity there at all, we wish him all the best.”