As Sunderland continue their pre-season preparations, we look at who could be putting pen to paper on a deal at the Stadium of Light as well as who else may potentially leave Wearside this summer.
JOE RAFFERTY
The Preston North End right back has been strongly linked with a move across from the North West to link up with Lee Johnson's men. The full back only has a year left on his contract and although the PNE are keen on keeping him at Deepdale, he only has a year left on his contract and the Championship outfit may want to cash in on him. Rafferty has impressed and become somewhat of a regular in the starting XI in Lancashire ever since his move from Greater Manchester side Rochdale in the winter transfer window of 2019.
HAYDEN COULSON
Another full back linked with SAFC is Middlesbrough's Hayden Coulson, he has been touted for a potential season long loan move from the Riverside after falling out with Boro's boss Neil Warnock. The 23 year old has fell out of favour under Warnock and the arrival of Lee Peltier has deemed the Gateshead born left back surplus to requirement to the Teessiders. The departure of Callum McFadzean and uncertainty of Denver Hume may make the short journey up the A19 more likely for Coulson who is reportedly highly rated by Lee Johnson.
DENVER HUME
The Sunderland academy graduate hasn't yet signed a new deal to stay with us yet but it is understood that the Head Coach is keen to keep him on Wearside, Johnson said of Hume, "Denver is ongoing, that one I haven't been too involved in to be honest." The speedy left back is somewhat of a fans favourite at the Stadium of Light but has been linked with a switch the other way to join Middlesbrough as well as rumours linking him with a host of other Championship sides.
LEIGH GRIFFITHS
The controversial Celtic striker has been linked with a move south of the border following the arrival of Ange Postecoglou as boss at Parkhead, the Romanian gaffer said this about the Scotland international: "You know how much time I have spent thinking about that? You’ve asked me and I’ve just thought about it. We’ll let it run its course and once it’s done and we get back up to Scotland then we’ll deal with it then. I’ve not spoken to him." Lee Johnson will be keen to recruit a striker following the departure of hitman Charlie Wyke to rivals Wigan Athletic on a free transfer and the 30 year old front man may be a potential target for the boss as he begins to shape his starting line up.
ELLIOT EMBLETON
The central midfielder has been linked with a permanent switch to Blackpool where he spent the latter half of the season on loan at, helping the Tangerines to promotion via a play-off win at Wembley against Lincoln City. The academy graduate is likely to be a priority for Lee Johnson to tie down after impressing on loan at Bloomfield Road and before that, with Grimsby Town in League 2. The newly promoted Championship side are still optimistic on signing Embleton on a permanent contract with manager Neil Critchley speaking very highly of the Sunderland man.
