Sunderland face a rather intense summer transfer window after the season they have had.
Sunderland‘s youthful squad caught everyone’s attention last season and it seemed very clear that they would have to build on that if they were to keep hold of their key assets.
However, things only got worse this time round and they now face stiff competition from the Premier League for some of their players.
The Black Cats may need to sell to buy, but either way, they will desperately need to bolster their squad with both talent and experience if they are to improve.
While they are yet to appoint a new head coach, Sunderland should really be looking ahead and preparing for the transfer window – something they so often don’t do and are left panicking on deadline day.
The Wearside outfit should look to the Championship play-offs over the next couple of weeks, as the winner could well offload some players that aren’t quite good enough for the top flight.
Here is one player Sunderland could look at from each of the four teams.
Four Championship play-off stars Sunderland should look to sign
Sam Greenwood – Leeds United
Sam Greenwood is a familiar face on Wearside and one player that many Sunderland fans were frustrated that we let leave six years ago.
The forward initially joined Arsenal’s academy, before arriving at Leeds United two years later.
Greenwood did make 18 appearances in the Premier League with the Whites, but struggled for minutes and was loaned out to Middlesbrough.
The 22-year-old has five goals and three assists in 25 starts for Boro, but despite his impact, the clubaren’t willing to pay the £1.5m required to sign him permanently.
Whether Sunderland would be up for it is a question in itself, but Greenwood could benefit from returning to Wearside.
Ben Gibson – Norwich City
Ben Gibson is a regular for Norwich, butlooks likely to leave Carrow Road on a free transfer this summer.
The defender has made the second-most shots blocked in the Canaries’ squad (40) and has won the second-most aerials (75).
Gibson turned 31 years old in January and could add some experience, leadership and squad depth to the team.
Joe Aribo – Southampton
Aribo joined Southampton from Rangers in 2022, having played in the Europa League final the previous season.
However, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the team, making 16 starts in the Championship.
The midfielder did score four goals though, and has also made the fifth-most tackles in the Saints’ squad (48), blocked the fourth-most passes (22) and made the fifth-most successful dribbles (27).
If Southampton win the play-offs then they could offload the Nigerian, though he could be a costly purchase and Sunderland could instead look to loan him in.
Mikey Johnston – West Brom
Mikey Johnston has really impressed since joining the Baggies on loan from Celtic.
The ‘special‘ winger has seven goals in only 19 games, while Sunderland have already been urged to make a move for him this summer.
West Brom will surely want to snap him up permanently and will have a major advantage if they are promoted, but perhaps the Black Cats could tempt him in if the Baggies are still in the same division.