6 players Sunderland could target this summer ahead of major contract decisions | OneFootball

Sunderland are planning a selective summer to build on a promising Premier League return, prioritising under-23 talent entering the final year of their deals.

It is 12 months since a Wembley win over Sheffield United ended a nine-year exile. Since then, Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Omar Alderete and Brian Brobbey have become mainstays under Regis Le Bris, and Florent Ghisolfi now targets quality over quantity.

Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney has been tracked by several Premier League clubs, with Nottingham Forest moving late in January, and could be available as Boro remain in the Championship. Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, capped 22 times by Germany Under-21s and linked to Manchester United and Inter, enters his final 12 months and may be a cut-price option.

Lecce centre-back Tiago Gabriel, a Portugal Under-21 international, has attracted AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Barcelona after 39 outings since arriving from Estrela Amadora last January. Real Madrid youngster Thiago Pitarch, who will enter the final year of his deal this summer, has 14 senior appearances including against Manchester City and Bayern Munich, and has also been linked.

Southampton’s Shea Charles, a Manchester City academy product who also spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, has been part of a promotion push and could be available if Saints miss out on the top flight. Girona wing-back Arnau Martinez, 23, a Spain Under-21 international nearing 200 senior games, has been linked with AC Milan, Arsenal and Juventus.

Source: Sunderland Echo