Real Madrid ‘to consider’ Trai Hume as £19m option | OneFootball

Real Madrid have been linked with a surprise summer move for Sunderland defender Trai Hume.

Defensa Central reports that Hume is among several right-sided options being assessed as low-cost cover and competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold, with a price around €22million, roughly £19million. The Spanish club are said to be seeking a rotation option amid the expected departure of long-serving defender Dani Carvajal, rather than spending heavily in that area.

It sits firmly in the unlikely column for now, yet underlines how far Hume’s stock has risen after another strong season. The Northern Ireland international has been a consistent performer under Régis Le Bris, valued for versatility, intensity and reliability.

The report also named Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong, Feyenoord’s Givairo Read, Brighton’s Matt Wieffer and Monaco’s Vanderson as alternatives.

Hume came through at Ballymena United and Linfield, making his Linfield senior debut in April 2019. He spent time on loan with hometown club Ballymena, playing 37 games and scoring six, before returning to become Linfield’s first-choice right-back.

Sunderland signed him in January 2022 on a four-and-a-half-year deal. He debuted in a 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham Town the following month and established himself as a regular during 2022-23.

His progress earned a contract extension in 2023, then a long-term deal after promotion to the Premier League, keeping him at Sunderland until summer 2030. He also netted his first Premier League goal earlier this season in a 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa.

Source: Sunderland Echo