The transfer rumour season has definitely picked up now, with more reported targets for the likes of Jack Clarke. We've also been linked with a 19 year old Portuguese striker and our final pre-season friendly has been announced.
FINAL FRIENDLY ANNOUNCED
Today it was announced that our pre-season preparations will conclude at Hartlepool Stadium as we face The Pool on Tuesday 1st August at 7:30pm. The Championship season is set to begin on Saturday August 5th.
Our 2023 pre-season schedule is:
South Shields (A) - Saturday 8th July, 12:30pm.
Gateshead (A) - Saturday 8th July, 4pm.
San Antonio (A) - Saturday July 15th July, 8pm (ET)
New Mexico United (A) - Wednesday 19th July, 7:00 (MT)
North Carolina (A) - Friday 21st July, 7pm (CT)
Hartlepool (A) - Tuesday 1st August, 7:30pm
MORE CLARKE RUMOURS
It seems like Jack Clarke is the most attractive Sunderland player to other clubs, with the list of interested parties growing daily. As it stands, Burnley are supposedly the most keen whilst Brentford, Crystal Palace, Everton, Wolves and Rangers are all interested too. It’s no surprise he has so many top level teams after him, he’s been electric for us, but we hold the upper hand for once, Clarkey is contracted to us until 2026 so we aren’t in any rush and can demand a lot of money should we sell. There are some reports that we are trying to tie him down to a new and improved contract though, so hopefully we can tempt him to stay and he’ll soon enough get some top flight minutes when he carries us to the Premier League next year.
SAFC EYEING PORTUGAL STRIKER?
The latest bit of transfer news that includes us signing and not selling a player is that we are close to signing 19 year old Luis Semedo, who was recently linked with a move to the likes of Juventus and Roma. Benfica have been unsuccessful in their attempts to agree a new deal with Semedo. It’s refreshing to be linked with some more attacking targets, especially strikers because god knows we need them.
Semedo hasn’t made his senior debut for Benfica but his performances for their youth side are very impressive. The 6’3 striker has 21 goals in 44 games, as well as 10 goals in 14 UEFA Youth League games.
With reports saying we are ‘very close’ it would be a great statement of intent if we get some players through the door early on, plus it would be better for the new additions as they would have more time with the lads. Anyways, this is definitely one to keep an eye on, as well as the Jobe Bellingham deal.
