If Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland team is crying out for a dash of Premier League experience, then the good news is that – including but not limited to a certain Jordan Henderson – Premier League experience is hardly in short supply this summer.
To quote Dutch reporter Mike Verweij, the ‘way is clear’ for Jordan Henderson to re-join Sunderland.
The Black Cats academy graduate could make an emotional return to the Stadium of Light after 14 years away. Ajax are expected to let Henderson go after PSV Eindhoven’s final day triumph denied the veteran midfielder the chance to add an Eredivisie winners’ medal to the Premier League title he won as captain of Liverpool.
Arsenal legend Perry Groves believes Sunderland could do worse than Everton’s Michael Keane. A move for Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy has been talked up, too.
Other soon-to-be free-agents include Abdoulaye Doucoure, Keane’s long-time Everton teammate. Vladimir Coufal, Victor Lindelof, Nelson Semedo, Kyle Walker-Peters and Ben Davies may be released, too.
And while Joe Gomez is not yet in the same boat – he has two years left on his Liverpool deal – speculation suggests that Sunderland could turn to the 28-year-old centre-back in an attempt to add an injection of top-flight nous to a youthful dressing room.
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Danny Murphy reacts as Sunderland target Liverpool’s Joe Gomez
Empire of the Kop report that play-off champions Sunderland are one of seven Premier League clubs on Gomez’s heels.
Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and north-east neighbours Newcastle United are allegedly keen. As are Burnley and Leeds, the two newly-promoted teams who will join the Black Cats back in the big time.
For ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, Gomez’s potential Anfield departure says little about his quality. He believes it has more to do with about his injury record. Plus the world-leading talent of those above him in Arne Slot’s pecking order.
“From a capability point of view, yes [Gomez is good enough for Liverpool]. He just doesn’t seem able to stay fit for a long period of time, which is a real problem,” argues Murphy, who also represented Tottenham Hotspur, Charlton Athletic and Fulham in the top-flight.
“Obviously, the centre-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate has been tremendous. Gomez has been out a lot this season but, fortunately, he wasn’t needed.
“[But] I like him. I think he’s really solid. He can cover at right-back as well. He is a proper defender.”
Sunderland eye Monaco’s Wilfried Singo too with Gomez’s injury record a concern
Gomez started only six Premier League games as Liverpool stormed to the title in 2024/25.
The England international has missed over 250 games during his career through a variety of injury issues, having been rendered unavailable 28 times on Slot’s watch alone.
Amid suggestions that Liverpool will demand £25 million from a footballer who celebrated his 28th birthday last month, the finances involved could be a massive stumbling block as his suitors balance Gomez’s experience and talent against that worrying fitness record.
Sunderland have been linked with Monaco powerhouse Wilfried Singo, too.
Four years younger than Gomez, and off the back of a 35-game campaign in the Principality, what Singo lacks in terms of a proven Premier League record he makes up for in longevity and availability.