There are some intriguing options on a list of players now in the final 12 months of their current contracts.
Sunderland will hope to strengthen their squad during the final two months of the summer transfer window as they prepare to compete alongside the likes of AC Milan and Juventus in this season’s Europa League.
The headlines are being dominated by talk of Chelsea’s interest in Black Cats captain Granit Xhaka after he played an integral role in helping Regis Le Bris’ side secure a place in Europe for only the second time in the club’s long and proud history during his first season on Wearside.
Florent Ghisolfi.placeholder image
Florent Ghisolfi. | Getty Images.
However, Sunderland fans are eagerly anticipating further news over potential incomings and a whole host of players have been linked with moves to the Stadium of Light since the end of a truly memorable season. One potential avenue of finding value for money in the transfer market could be identifying players that are now in the final year of their existing contracts - and we have identified five players that could be shrewd additions that find themselves in that exact situation.
5 players Sunderland could sign as they enter the final 12 months of their current contract
Rising talent Shea Charles looks set to seal a move to the Premier League this summer.placeholder image
Rising talent Shea Charles looks set to seal a move to the Premier League this summer. | Getty Images.
Shea Charles - Southampton
Charles has reportedly been the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Leeds United over the last week after impressing for club and country over the last 12 months. Now an established Northern Ireland international team-mate of Trai Hume and Dan Ballard, the midfielder’s tenacity, energy and ability on the ball means there should be little surprise there is major interest in his services. At 22, Charles still has plenty of room to develop.
Arnau Martinez - Girona
A 12-times capped Spain Under-21 international, Martinez was part of the Girona squad that were relegated from La Liga last season and he is now widely expected to move on during the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old wing-back spent some time in Barcelona’s La Masia academy - but it is with Catalan neighbours Girona where he has established himself as a real talent. He has made over 200 senior appearances at the age of 23 and would bring some experience of competing in the Champions League after facing the likes of PSG, Arsenal and Feyenoord during the 2024/25 season.
Konstantinos Tzolakis - Olympiakos
Robin Roefs’ form during his first season on Wearside saw the Dutch international establish himself as one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League. It also provoked speculation of interest from elsewhere - and that means Sunderland would be foolish to not consider any contingency plans. At 23, nine-times capped Greece international Tzolakis has already impressed and he kept a remarkable 23 clean sheets in 43 appearances in all competitions last season as Olympiakos were pipped to the Greek league title by AEK Athens.
Arthur Avom - Lorient
Avom has been linked with a move to Wearside in recent weeks after impressing for Ligue 1 side Lorient and has been also been suggested as a possible target for several other Premier League clubs. A 14-times capped Cameroon international, Avom’s ability to play in a number of different roles in midfield could be useful to Sunderland as they prepare for their first season competing in European competition since 1973.
Arijon Ibrahimovic - Bayern Munich
‘Why am I looking at Ibrahimovic?’ may well summon up memories of Sunderland ‘til I Die’ - but there is clearly a talented player in the twice-capped Germany Under-21 international. The 20-year-old worked his way through Bayern’s youth set-up and made four senior appearances before spending time on loan with Italian clubs Lazio and Frosinone and Bundesliga rivals Heidenheim. Now in the final year of his contract, the attacking midfielder has been linked with moves to clubs in the Premier League, Serie A and Eredivisie in recent months - and his versatility across attacking areas means he could be a shrewd addition.
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