The League 1 fixture timetable is released Thursday morning (24th June) at 9am but in the meantime we have a catch up of all the transfer rumours flying around, linking players to Sunderland as well as who may be heading for the exit door.
LUKE O'NIEN
Since signing from Wycombe Wanderers in the summer of 2018, O'Nien has impressed at the Stadium of Light and has firmly established himself as a fans favourite on Wearside. However, the versatile midfielder, who has also been utilised at right back and centre half, is reportedly a target for a whole host of Championship clubs, and most recently and perhaps most strongly linked with newly promoted Hull City. Grant McCann will be looking at improving the Tigers' options in the second tier after the Humberside club bounced straight back following a disastrous campaign the season before. However, a sticking point for a potential move would be that Hull would be unlikely to accommodate better terms than what is on the table for him at Sunderland, and so far there has been no other real serious interest in this amount of depth, although Luton Town, Millwall and Middlesbrough have expressed their intentions.
LYLE TAYLOR
Once a number one transfer target for Jack Ross during his tenure at the Stadium of Light, he joined Charlton Athletic instead, and scored against us on the opening day of the season! However, he departed The Valley after an impressive goal scoring campaign in League 1 to Nottingham Forest but he has fell out of favour at the City Ground, failing to dislodge former Sunderland loanee Lewis Grabban up front. It is rumoured that Taylor may be available on loan and with Wyke likely to move North of the border to Glasgow, Lee Johnson will be lining up replacements for the 'Boro born front man, although Taylor will be hot property in League 1 due to his track record with AFC Wimbledon and Charlton.
DION SANDERSON
Arguably Lee Johnson's number one transfer target to bring to the SoL this summer, the young centre half impressed in the second half of last season, becoming a rock at the back for the Lads and his injury caused a noticeable hole in the back line. His parent club, Wolves, are reportedly happy to let the 21 year old leave Molineux, but not for pennies, a £1m bid from Sunderland has already reportedly been rejected. There's plenty Championship clubs who have also shown interest in the defender, including Stoke City, Millwall, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, where he has also spent some time on loan.
CHARLIE WYKE
With speculation refusing the vanish over the future of Sunderland's top scorer last season, more clubs are linked to the 30 goal striker, as well as continued interest from Celtic and his hometown club, Middlesbrough. However, despite interest from the Championship, including Nottingham Forest, Millwall and Cardiff, it looks to be the SPL runners-up who are to win the race for his signature with a stay at the Stadium of Light looking increasingly less likely.
