Mike Dodds has made Sunderland's stance on outgoing transfers clear, and warns that Premier League clubs will have to pay big money if they want to do business this summer.
STRONG POSITION
"It's got to be right for the football club and all those players are under contract, I don't know the exact ins and outs because my focus is on the grass, but they have lengthy contracts and so the club are in a strong position."
PAY A PREMIUM
"So it's really clear that if anyone wants to come and take a Sunderland player then they're going to have to pay the premium because whoever it is, you're talking about a young player who has already done well but still has the potential to develop further. You're also talking about a player with time on their contract so when you put those three things together, it's clear that you would have to pay a premium."
AREAS TO IMPROVE
"Obviously in terms of the summer, we're going to have to look at the squad because there are areas we need to be better with when you compare this season to last, you can't hide away from that fact. It's been a second season in the division and there's a lot that has happened in terms of turnover of players and head coaches, so we will need to take stock and see where we can be better."
PLAYERS ARE HAPPY
"Listen, I know that dressing room better than most and have a really good relationship with them, and there is nothing to suggest to me that there are players in there who want away. This [speculation] is a by-product of playing young players and improving them, the club have shown up until this point that they won't let players go unless they feel it's right. They demonstrated that last summer and I'm sure that it will be the same again this time around."
