BBC pundit Marco Gabbiadini has given his verdict on the upcoming summer transfer window for Sunderland.
The summer transfer window opens on June 14th, leaving Sunderland with less than a month to organise their playing squad and transfer targets.
And on top of that, Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has to hire a manager, so there’s a crucial few weeks lying ahead at the Stadium of Light.
So far, there’s been a few names linked with Sunderland; Chris Willock and Ian Poveda are two, with both out of contract in the summer.
But expect Kristjaan Speakman to be desperate for a prolific striker after another season of struggles in front of goal.
Another key issue for the Black Cats will be managing their outgoings. Sunderland have a number of players who could have bids this summer including Dan Ballard, Trai Hume, Jobe Bellingham, Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, and perhaps more likely than anyone, Jack Clarke.
Marco Gabbiadini gives verdict on Sunderland outgoings
Speaking on Total Sport, former Sunderland man Gabbiadini has discussed the potential outgoings at Sunderland this summer, and how crucial it is to manage the amount.
Louis-Dreyfus and Speakman are in quite a healthy position in that they have a lot of players who may be very valuable in the transfer market.
But offloading too many could see the club struggle again next season, and form in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign would suggest that the Black Cats might be in a relegation battle next time round; if they offload too many players this summer.
Giving his thoughts on the matter, Gabbiadini said: “I think they will be open to offers for players. Would they let them all go?
“Would they let Ballard, Hume, Clarke, Patterson, and Neil, all go in the summer? That would be hard to stomach, wouldn’t it, for Sunderland fans.
“They may have to say, ‘Look, we’re open to offers for all these players, but we’ll let maybe the two of them go, who bring in the best fee’. That’s how it’ll have to be.”
The two players Sunderland may sell this summer
It’s certainly a difficult one for Sunderland to weigh up. But there may be two clear candidates for the chop this summer, with one being Clarke.
Of all the Sunderland players, he’s the one who’s had the most transfer interest in the past 12 months, and he’s arguably the one who’d fetch the most amount of money.
The next may be Patterson; right now, he’s arguably the most in demand player within the Sunderland side with Sheffield United keen.
That, and goalkeepers are perhaps more easily replaced than attacking players, with Sunderland having already been linked with Sam Tickle at Wigan Athletic ahead of this summer.
And should those two leave then it could make Sunderland upwards of £30million in the transfer market, which is a huge amount for a Championship club, and Louis-Dreyfus would still have the likes of Hume, Ballard and more whose transfer value will only rise over time.
So it’s a nice predicament for Sunderland. But like Gabbiadini says, it needs to be very carefully managed.