The three major decisions Florent Ghisolfi must soon make at Sunderland | OneFootball

With Premier League safety virtually assured, Sunderland have accelerated summer planning, and Florent Ghisolfi now faces three major calls that could shape the window.

According to Sunderland Echo, he said the club would try to improve the squad while prioritising stability after last summer’s overhaul, with business partly hinging on decisions over Lutsharel Geertruida, Dennis Cirkin and Bertrand Traoré.

Geertruida is on loan from RB Leipzig with a clause near £20 million. Versatile across three roles despite no full pre-season, he has rarely been a clear first choice, the outlay would be heavy, and persuading him may be toughest amid January interest. Early prediction: it makes sense for stability and depth if he can be convinced.

Cirkin’s exit would likely force a new left-back signing, and losing him for nothing alongside Dan Neil would undermine the club’s model. He has shown quality when fit, yet injuries and strong competition cloud his prospects. Early prediction: limited starts suggest a parting.

Traoré was a smart deadline-day pick-up and there is a one-year option, but salary and injuries since the Wear-Tyne derby complicate matters, even if he would add value when fit. Beyond the trio, Ghisolfi must help replace departing academy director Robin Nicholls, consider backroom additions after Luciano Vulcano’s exit, set recruitment targets under new financial rules, place fringe players and loanees, and prepare for interest in leading talents, possibly via timely contract talks.

Source: Sunderland Echo