Sunderland Set to Offload First-Team Player in Imminent Exit
Sunderland have reached an agreement to sell a first-team player, who is expected to finalize his departure from the Stadium of Light in the coming days.
Sunderland Exit Reports
The Black Cats are enjoying a strong season under Regis Le Bris and remain on track for a Championship playoff spot. For much of the campaign, they were in contention for automatic promotion, but recent defeats to Leeds United and Hull City have left them trailing second-place Sheffield United by eight points.
Should Sunderland fail to secure promotion, several clubs may look to swoop in for their young talents during the summer transfer window. Crystal Palace have reportedly set their sights on Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham, while Eliezer Mayenda has also attracted interest from multiple Premier League sides.
One player who has been heavily linked with a move away is winger Jewison Bennette. Talks have been ongoing regarding a potential transfer to Ukrainian club LNZ Cherkasy, with the Ukrainian transfer window remaining open until March 11.
Now, it appears a breakthrough has been made in negotiations regarding Bennette’s future.
Sunderland Agree to Sell Bennette for £418,000
According to Ihor Burbas, as reported by Sunderland AFC News, Bennette is set to join LNZ Cherkasy after the two clubs agreed on a transfer fee. Sunderland will reportedly receive €500,000 (£418,000) for the winger, marking a loss on the €1.2m (£1m) they paid for him in 2022.
A move seems logical, especially after his failed deadline-day switch to Charlton Athletic in January. Bennette has struggled for game time under Le Bris, featuring just once all season.
Despite his limited role, the 20-year-old was highly regarded by former manager Tony Mowbray, who once praised his down-to-earth nature after he traveled home with Sunderland fans following a match against Preston North End in 2022.
“The legendary Sunderland players of the past – they used to get on the bus. I thought it was great. He’s a young lad acclimating, and he had his dad with him,” Mowbray said.
“After the Watford game, his dad hadn’t planned how to get home. He was just standing there, not knowing where Watford was. So we let him ride back on the team coach.
“He’s come all the way from Costa Rica to watch his son play football. He had no idea where to go! I had to tell him, ‘You’re not on the team bus every game!’ But it was great to see him taking public transport.”
Bennette’s move to Ukraine now looks all but sealed, bringing an end to his short-lived stint at Sunderland.
