Sunderland and rivals set to ramp-up their summer transfer plans as League One clubs given green light to complete deals

While clubs have been able to agree deals in principle up to this point, transfers between clubs can now be given the green light. This includes both permanent deals and loan transfers. In the case of free agents, released players and those who have turned down renewal offers from their current clubs, deals generally do not gain official approval until the end of June – when the vast majority of player contracts expire. Sunderland are set for a busy summer in the market with the club’s transfer team looking to replace the seven players who have been released following the club’s play-off semi-final defeat. Some of the Black Cats’ business will depend on whether out-of-contract quartet Charlie Wyke, Aiden McGeady, Luke O’Nien and Denver Hume put pen to paper on new deals. Both Wyke and O’Nien are rumoured to have admirers in the Championship after their impressive performances in the 2020/21 season. It looks set to be a competitive transfer market this summer, with a number of League One clubs reportedly set to splash the cash in a bid to build a squad capable of promotion. Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic have already made some eye-catching additions having recently been the subject of takeovers. Sunderland are set to take a more data-led approach to their recruitment this summer, with Kristjaan Speakman, Stuart Harvey, James Young, Lee Johnson and the club’s wider team working in tandem to secure new additions. And while there will likely be money available to spend, the club are keen to ensure it is channeled effectively. “You don't want to be frivolous and waste money,” said Johnson, speaking to a recent episode of the #SAFCUnfiltered Podcast. "You want to know that every pound you're spending is effectively investing. “When we talk about data, it's not necessarily that the data is going to pick a player and we're going to sign them on the back of that. “The data will flag, hopefully, players that suit our playing style earlier maybe than anyone else can spot them.” The summer transfer window will close at 11pm on August 31. A message from the Football Clubs Editor: Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year. This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here. Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor