According to the most recent sources, Sunderland plans to strengthen their defense this summer and has identified a former player who is presently playing in the National League.
More than four months after Michael Beale left the team, the Black Cats have finally named a new manager to take over in the dugout at the Stadium of Light. After two Ligue 1 seasons with Lorient, French coach Regis Le Bris is about to take over.
Now that the campaign has ended, efforts may start to bolster the first team roster. Despite finishing in the top six twelve months earlier under Tony Mowbray’s leadership, the Wearside team ended up in 16th position, seven points above the relegation zone and seventeen behind the play-offs.
The only signing made by the club since the transfer window opened two weeks ago is Simon Moore. The goalkeeper had recently left Coventry City after his contract with the Sky Blues expired but has now penned a deal with Sunderland, keeping him at the club until 2026 with the option to extend his stay by a further year.
One area that the new manager may be looking to bolster over the summer is at the back. According to a report from Graeme Bailey in HITC, Sunderland are showing an interest in Gateshead defender Kenton Richardson who was once on the books at the Stadium of Light from 2020 to 2022, although he made merely three appearances for the Black Cats, none of which were in the league. Furthermore, he is the grandson of former West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea and Hartlepool United centre-forward Fred Richardson.
During his time with the club, he spent time out on loan, firstly at Notts County where he hardly played and later at non-league side Spennymoor Town. Nevertheless, upon leaving Sunderland, the right-back stayed in the Northeast, signing for Gateshead and has had a successful spell with the Tynesiders, but now looks set for a return to the EFL.
HITC have also revealed that the Black Cats are not alone in the race for Richardson’s signature as fellow Championship sides Derby County and Oxford United are keeping a close eye on the fullback, while Barnsley, Peterborough United and Notts County are equally interested.
Writer’s View
If Sunderland are truly interested in signing Richardson this summer, they should have no problem securing his signature considering he is a boyhood fan of the club and has previously played at the Stadium of Light, albeit just a handful of games.
Additionally, there has reportedly been interest in Trai Hume from Leeds United and clubs in the Premier League. Perhaps Le Bris will want a replacement for the Northern Ireland international if he does leave over the coming months.
