RUMOUR ROUNDUP

The transfer window is back open after a mini-break for the Club World Cup, and will remain open until 7pm on September 1st. Enzo Le Fee has made his Sunderland loan permanent but the Black Cats have since been linked with a whole load of names, both familiar and unknown to supporters.

JAPHET TANGANGA

Millwall's Player of the Season for 2024/25, Tangana is available for a cut-price fee due to a release clause in the defender's contract. The former Tottenham youngster can reportedly be bought by any Premier League club this summer for just £1.2 million. Sunderland are one of several clubs credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, alongside Leeds United, Burnley and, more recently, Crystal Palace who may attempt to replace Marc Guehi with Tangana during this window. It is said that the Millwall defender would prefer a move to Germany or France, but the bargain release clause can reportedly only be activated by clubs in the top flight of English football.

TOMMY DOYLE

Another potential bargain this summer could come in the form of out-of-form Wolves midfielder Doyle. The ex-Manchester City youngster could be available for as little as £3 million and, with Jobe Bellingham sealing an early-window move to Dortmund, Sunderland are in need of reinforcements. Wolves are seeing a bit of an exodus this summer with Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha already heading to Manchester City and United respectively. The Black Cats reportedly failed to secure a loan deal for Doyle back in January but now they would be interested in a permanent move - especially with the former England U21 star available for such a small fee. Other clubs credited with an interest are Championship side Sheffield United (where Doyle previously enjoyd a loan stint) and recently-promoted Wrexham.

SAM JOHNSTONE

Johnstone is another player who could be allowed to leave Wolves this summer, despite costing £10 million just one year ago. The 32-year-old is reportedly "unsettled" at Molineux having made just seven appearances for the club. Anthony Patterson has of course been Sunderland's number one since the League One days but Johnstone could provide capable backup/competition. Simon Moore is a popular figure in the dressing room and his experience proved to be important around the squad, but if Patto got injured there would certainly be question marks over Moore's ability to step in between the sticks at top-flight level as a 35-year-old. Leeds United have also been linked with Johnstone, who has four England caps and is said to be keen to revive his international career. However, it has been repoorted that Snderland are close to hiring goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler, who worked with the shot-stopper at Wolves and could help put Johnstone's name on Sunderland's radar.

WILFRIED SINGO

Singo was named as one of the best defenders in Ligue 1 last season as he helped AS Monaco to a second-placed finish behind PSG. He can play as a centre back or right back, playing 29 league games last season after moving to France from Torino. He's been linked with several clubs so far, from the Premier League and overseas, and signing the athletic defender would be a statement of intent from Sunderland. Certainly one of the more ambitious signings of the summer but with RLB's reputation in France and our ownership's connections with Monaco, who knows...

CHARLIE GRAY

More recently, Sunderland have been linked with Manchester City teenager Gray who is supposedly open to a move to the north east, as long as the Black Cats can guarantee him a pathway into the first team. The 19-year-old has one year left on his current deal and is said to be undecided on his next career move. Gray helped the club's Under-21s win both the league and play-off phase of the Premier League 2 last season but is yet to make a senior appearance for Pep Guardiola's side, hence his hesitance to sign a new deal at the Etihad. A number of Championship clubs are also said to be keen on his signature but, provided we can offer him regular minutes, the chance of playing in the top flight will surely be tempting.

CHARLIE CRESSWELL

From one Charlie to another, Cresswell is a player who has been on Sunderland's radar previously and following our promotion, may finally make the move to Wearside. The 22-year-old is coming off the back of a successful season in France with Toulouse. He signed there last summer after breaking through at Leeds, making 31 league appearances and becoming a key member of the French side's backline. He would be a Dan Ballard-esque physical presence, offering an aerial threat in both boxes with his imposing stature at 6ft 3. He's currently on international duty with England at the U21 Euros, where he scored in their opening match.