Sunderland Eye Move for Club Captain Amid Summer Transfer Plans
Sunderland are reportedly keen on signing a club captain this summer, with the player himself open to the prospect of playing in England.
Playoff Push and Summer Planning
Under Regis Le Bris, Sunderland have enjoyed a promising campaign and are well-positioned to secure a Championship playoff spot. While they were initially in contention for automatic promotion alongside Leeds United, Sheffield United, and Burnley, a recent dip in form has left them trailing the Blades by eight points with nine matches remaining.
Their immediate focus is on an upcoming clash against Coventry City, another playoff hopeful managed by Frank Lampard, as they look to solidify their promotion bid. However, should Sunderland fall short in their push for Premier League football, they may face a summer of significant squad changes.
Crystal Palace are already monitoring young stars Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham, while forward Eliezer Mayenda has drawn “interest” from multiple Premier League sides. Regardless of whether Sunderland achieve promotion, new signings are expected, and Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland has emerged as a top target.
Sunderland’s Interest in Lawrence Shankland
Football reporter Graeme Bailey has provided an update on Sunderland’s pursuit of Shankland, revealing that both the Black Cats and Ipswich Town are keen on signing the Hearts striker.
“He is a free transfer… Ipswich clearly see him as some sort of Liam Delap replacement, but Sunderland do like him too. Would they still pursue him if they get promoted? Perhaps not, but it’s hard to say,” Bailey told Sunderland AFC News.
Bailey also noted that multiple clubs are in talks with Shankland, but the 29-year-old, who currently captains Hearts, has a strong ambition to play in England. With his contract set to expire at the end of May, Sunderland have the opportunity to negotiate a pre-contract agreement now to secure his services for the 2025/26 season.
However, it appears that Sunderland are waiting to determine their league status before making a definitive move. Promotion to the Premier League could shift their transfer priorities, but for now, Shankland remains a player to watch as the summer window approaches.
