"I'm surprised" - Transfer claim made on Trai Hume at Sunderland | OneFootball

Trai Hume stayed put at Sunderland this summer despite speculation linking him to a move elsewhere

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sunderland have been backed for retaining Trai Hume following the conclusion of the summer transfer window, with the Northern Ireland international having appeared somewhat likely to depart the club.

The Mackems were eventually powerless to prevent the departure of Jack Clarke, who was a star turn at the Stadium of Light for at least two seasons and earned his long-awaited move to the Premier League by joining Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town.

Exciting winger Romaine Mundle has stepped up and ensured that Clarke's void has not been too harshly felt in the opening throes of the Championship campaign. Sunderland have won each of their first four encounters and Mundle has scored twice in that time, and keeping hold of Hume can also be attributed to the club's flying start under new manager Regis Le Bris.

Sunderland's youthful recruitment strategy has yielded mixed results but Hume has proved an undoubted success after arriving from Linfield in January 2022. He has made 88 appearances for the Black Cats and counting, but earned strong reported interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray back in the summer.

Sunderland, Trai Hume verdict given amid transfer surprise

Given that Galatasaray can offer European football and boast extraordinary talent such as Victor Osimhen, Dries Mertens and Mauro Icardi, it was something of a surprise to see Hume end up staying on Wearside despite their interest.

It would have perhaps been even more of a shock if Clarke had decided to stay put, but the retention of Hume has certainly surprised Football League World's Sunderland fan pundit Eddy Bamber.

Eddy explained to Football League World.

"So I'm surprised he didn't garner more interest really, he has been linked to other teams in the media before. I thought that this transfer window was going to be the one where there would be a real tangible attempt to sign him.

"But I'm really glad that it hasn't happened, he's really thriving under Le Bris. Some of his best plays and performances for Sunderland have been in these last four games, he's absolutely perfect for the system we're playing.

"He's always closing down and trying to make things happen, he's brilliant and I think playing in this squad will help his development more than signing for a team in a higher division where he may not get the chances he does at Sunderland.

"Hopefully we can keep hold of him for seasons to come."

Trai Hume is going to another level for Sunderland this season

Hume has been an impressive performer for the Mackems for some time now, but like much of Sunderland's squad, his game appears to be ascending to a higher level this term.

So far, we are yet to see an opposition winger get the better of Hume, who is strong in the tackle, covers ground well and possesses excellent positional awareness.

There is a strong case for him to be the best defensive full-back in the division, and his continued progression is a timely reminder of Sunderland's ability to get it right when recruiting young, low-cost talent.

Hume surely is not far away from meriting a move to top-flight football and Sunderland will hope it is with them. Either way, though, even if they do sell him, they will likely pocket much more next summer than they would have this year.