Sunderland want to sign £5m centre-mid who’s wowed Scotland boss Steve Clarke
Sunderland are lining new recruits with the summer transfer window now starting to take off.
Jobe Bellingham is rumoured to be leaving for £30million to join Borussia Dortmund, and his absence will leave a massive gap in midfield that Regis Le Bris will need to fill.
Bellingham, 19, was instrumental in winning the Black Cats’ promotion this year. He played every minute in the play-off campaign in which they earned Premier League football for 2025/2026.
Sunderland interested in Motherwell ace Lennon Miller
According to the Sunday People (page 57, 8 June), Sunderland are tracking Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller.
Miller, 18, captained the Scottish side last season. He’s a dead-ball specialist, netting four goals and recording eight assists in the 2024/2025 campaign.
Motherwell recruited the top prospect when he was just seven years old. He made his senior debut for the club six days after his 16th birthday.
The midfielder won the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Young Player of the Year award and secured his first cap for Scotland in March.
The 18-year-old’s contract ends in May 2026 and Motherwell’s domestic rivals, Celtic and Rangers, as well as the Italian side Atalanta, want him.
It is understood that he’ll cost £5million after making a “huge impression” on Scotland manager Steve Clarke.
Sunderland will need to bolster their squad for the Premiership
Sunderland hope to break a worrying trend when they play in the Premier League for the first time since 2017. All teams promoted to the top flight were relegated in their first year for the second consecutive season.
The Mackems haven’t waited around in this window to recruit players ready for the step-up. Jordan Henderson is set to return to Sunderland to provide some much-needed experience to the young squad.
Regis Le Bris is looking for reinforcements at the back with Dan Ballard’s recurring injury problems, and his side has bid for Montpellier defender Modibo Sagnan.
Enzo Le Fee broke Sunderland’s transfer record by leaving Roma for £20million, a move confirmed after Sunderland’s play-off final against Sheffield United.
It’ll be an expensive summer, but the Black Cats need to invest to survive in the Premier League.