League One and League Two clubs are on alert for a loan exit at Sunderland, and promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers would be an ideal move for all parties.
Bolton Wanderers have endured a testing start to the 2025/26 League One season under summer appointment Steven Schumacher.
Schumacher and Bolton have won only one of their four opening league clashes, leaving the Trotters 15th in the third tier table.
As a result of sizeable investment this summer, Schumacher has recruited several stellar signings, with Bolton signing Sam Dalby from Wrexham and Xavier Simons joining from Hull City.
Now, Bolton must target a loan move for a Sunderland starlet with Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris intent to trim his squad after Premier League promotion.
Trey Ogunsuyi in action against Hull City for Sunderland AFC in a Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Bolton Wanderers should sign Sunderland striker Trey Ogunsuyi on loan
After Sunderland won the Championship play-off final, their promotion has left the door open for several young talents to leave the Stadium of Light on loan for the 2025/26 season.
Goalkeeper Matty Young returned to Salford City on loan for the second season running, and EFL clubs want Jenson Jones on loan from Sunderland after the defender’s impressive pre-season outings under Le Bris.
Recently, EFL Analysis exclusively revealed that League One and League Two clubs want Trey Ogunsuyi on loan from Sunderland, as the Black Cats look to get the 18-year-old academy product a stronger taste of men’s football.
Striker Ogunsuyi made his senior debut for Sunderland last season in an FA Cup defeat to Stoke City after rising through the academy ranks and cementing himself as a future Black Cats number nine.
With the Belgium youth international available for a loan spell in the EFL, Bolton must target the young striker, who recently scored a hat-trick in a 5-3 defeat against Spurs’ under-23s.
👏 Ogunsuyi's third and Sunderland's third!
Just one in it as we head into the final moments. Watch live 👇#SAFC | #PL2
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) August 18, 2025
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As quoted by The Bolton News, Schumacher admitted earlier in the window that Bolton “want to try and do two strikers if we can before the season starts”, but have since only added former Sunderland loan flop Mason Burstow from Hull City.
Schumacher was disappointed by Bolton in their recent draw with Reading, noting that his side “shot ourselves in the foot by not being clinical enough.”
Although Burstow has scored twice in the opening four games for Bolton, his barren career goalscoring record supports Schumacher’s claims that the Trotters need another striker before the window slams shut, and Ogunsuyi would be an ideal candidate.
Steven Schumacher ahead of Bolton Wanderers against Shrewsbury Town
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Trey Ogunsuyi makes Sunderland ambitions clear after hat-trick vs Spurs
Ogunsuyi is backed by many Sunderland supporters as a future centre-forward for the first team, given that the powerful forward has scored 15 goals in just 20 outings for the Black Cats’ youth outfits.
Liverpool had previously been linked with the 18-year-old, but he recently committed his future on Wearside by penning a contract until 2028.
After scoring three against Spurs’ youngsters, Ogunsuyi admitted that he has a “big season” ahead of him.
Ogunsuyi told the Sunderland Echo: “Yeah, this season is going to be a big season for me.
“My goal is to play more men’s football, so I’m going to try and do that. Next for me is to play men’s football, like I said, and to try and break into the first team.”
With Ogunsuyi wanting more senior minutes to aid his development for Sunderland, and Schumacher in need of goalscoring additions at Bolton, a loan move for the striking prospect could be a match made in heaven for all parties.