Reports suggest the Black Cats are preparing to assess an overseas midfield prospect as part of their ongoing recruitment strategy
Sunderland under Florent Ghisolfi are set to take a closer look at Icelandic teenager Thorvaldur Smari Jonsson later this month, with reports in his homeland claiming the midfielder will travel to Wearside for a trial.
The Black Cats have enjoyed a strong first season back in the Premier League under Régis Le Bris and recruitment remains focused on identifying emerging talent with long-term upside.
Jonsson, who is currently under contract with Icelandic side HK, has been linked with a short-term stay at the Academy of Light. An Icelandic podcast, Dr Football, has suggested the teenager is due to arrive towards the end of the month as Sunderland assess his potential. The young midfielder made 11 appearances for HK in Iceland’s second tier last season and is regarded as a developing prospect within the domestic game.
Sunderland’s strategy in recent years has centred around recruiting young, hungry players capable of developing either into first-team contributors or valuable assets. The club have invested heavily in youth pathways, with Le Bris continuing to emphasise progression from academy level through to senior football. If the trial goes ahead as suggested, it would represent another example of Sunderland casting their net across European markets in search of emerging talent.
Alongside potential incoming prospects, Sunderland continue to monitor a number of players currently gaining experience away from Wearside. Several first-team squad members and younger prospects are out on loan, including defender Jenson Seelt, whose temporary move to Wolfsburg includes an option to buy. However, reports have suggested the Bundesliga side are unlikely to activate that clause, with Seelt having struggled for consistent availability due to injury.
Attacking midfielder Timur Tutierov is currently with Exeter City in League One after sealing a winter loan switch. Other players gaining minutes elsewhere include Zak Johnson, Anthony Patterson, Timothée Pembélé, Dan Neil, Simon Adingra, Alan Browne, Arthur Masuaku, Nazariy Rusyn, Leo Hjelde, Luis Semedo, Aji Alese and Nial Huggins.
However, Alese has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a serious groin injury while on loan at Portsmouth. The 25-year-old centre-back sustained the problem shortly after coming off the bench during Portsmouth’s defeat to Preston North End last weekend - his debut appearance for the Championship club following his January switch from the Stadium of Light.
Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho has confirmed the injury is likely to end Alese’s campaign. Speaking after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United, Mousinho said: “Aji, unfortunately, tore his groin in the game last week against Preston, so he’s most likely out for the rest of the season. I guess we were aware of the risk with Aji having not played for a while. We were willing to take that on, but unfortunately it didn’t work out - he did it pretty early on when he came on against Preston.”
The setback represents another cruel twist in what has been a difficult period for Alese. The defender had not featured for Sunderland in over a year following a serious shoulder issue, having previously been ruled out for an extended spell after breaking his leg in January 2025. After completing his rehabilitation, the move to Fratton Park was designed to provide valuable minutes and a fresh start. Instead, his return to competitive action lasted just a handful of minutes before he was forced back onto the treatment table.
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Alese joined Sunderland from West Ham United in July 2022 and made 31 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring once. His early performances underlined his physical presence and versatility across the back line, but injuries have significantly disrupted his momentum in recent seasons. The latest blow leaves his immediate future focused firmly on recovery once again, with Sunderland set to monitor his rehabilitation closely at the Academy of Light ahead of the summer.
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