Exclusive: Don Goodman reveals "only way" Sunderland AFC can avoid mass transfer exodus | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Don Goodman has been discussing whether Sunderland will have a tough time retaining their prized assets this summer.

Sunderland have secured a Championship play-off place with a handful of games to play, and Regis Le Bris' boys will be confident that they will be toasting the return of Premier League football at Wembley Stadium.

The Black Cats have been one of the standout sides in the second tier this season, with just some frustrating results and the odd spells of inconsistency preventing them from mounting a more serious automatic promotion push.

Much of the club's success this season, and indeed over the last few campaigns, has been built around a clear philosophy of identifying, recruiting, nurturing, and developing young players.

Indeed, Sunderland have the youngest average age of any Championship squad this season at just 23.2 (per Transfermarkt), with the likes of Chris Rigg, Jobe Bellingham, Dan Neil and Eliezer Mayenda all playing key roles in the team's success this term.

"Players will only leave if" - Don Goodman makes Sunderland summer transfer claim regarding key assets

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Sky Sports pundit and former player, Don Goodman: 'Do you think Sunderland will be able to keep all of their main stars if they get promoted, or can you see one or two leaving regardless?'

Goodman said: "I think the only way Sunderland get to keep all their main stars is if they get promoted.

"Obviously at the minute, they are a long way from that. They've already lost Tommy Watson to Brighton; that has been agreed already.

"But the good thing about Sunderland is that they're pretty shrewd when it comes to tying the players down, and knowing what their players are worth. They seem to get good prices for players.

"I think they'll be in a financial position where they don't have to sell too many of them. It will just be about selling, if they're in the Championship, selling that they will go one better, rather than having to do it through the play-offs and maybe have a chance of automatic promotion next season.

"If they can sell that dream, they'll be able to keep plenty of them. But in terms of having young players under contract, I think they're in a strong position, Sunderland.

"So, I think players will only leave if Sunderland decide it's in the club's best interest."

Interest in Sunderland's star players was always going to arrive, but Black Cats are in a strong position to bank big money

When you have the kind of young talent that Sunderland have, especially playing outside the Premier League, interest is always going to arrive.

Sunderland shouldn't fear such transfer talk either; instead, they should welcome it. After all, it's a clear sign that the club is doing the right things when it comes to the recruitment and development of young players.

Equally, given how sensible the club has been to tie down the majority of their prized possessions to long-term contracts, the Black Cats sit in a very strong position when it comes to any potential negotiations.

The Wearsiders will hold pretty much all the cards when it comes to a number of their best players, and as such, they appear set to land some major paydays in the near future that could set the club up financially for the foreseeable future.

With how impressive Sunderland's recruitment has been in recent times too, supporters will also be confident that any money they receive will be reinvested wisely, in the hope that their track record of inserting exceptional young talent into their squad will continue.

Therefore, the future, both on and off the pitch at the Stadium Of Light, looks to be very bright indeed, regardless of whether they are plying their trade in the Premier League next season or not.