Jack Clarke stays: How Sunderland AFC's perfect 2024 summer transfer window surely looks | OneFootball

We predicted what Sunderland's dream summer transfer window would look like.

A new era is underway at Sunderland following the appointment of Regis Le Bris as the club's new head coach.

The Black Cats had been without a manager since the sacking of Michael Beale in February, and the search for his permanent successor went on for over 120 days.

It was a frustrating period for Sunderland supporters, and a host of managers were linked with the club during that time, including Will Still, Danny Rohl, Rene Maric, Liam Rosenior, Paul Heckingbottom, Bo Svensson, Pascal Jansen, Dave Challinor, Stephen Robinson and Marti Cifuentes, but the board have opted for Le Bris.

Le Bris has left his role as manager of Lorient to take over at the Stadium of Light, and he experienced mixed fortunes during his two years in charge of the French outfit.

The 48-year-old led his side to a 10th-placed finish in Ligue 1 in his first year in charge, but his second season was much less successful, and Lorient were relegated from the top flight after finishing 17th in the table.

The Black Cats will be hoping for a much-improved campaign under Le Bris' guidance next season after a disappointing 16th-placed finish last term, and it could be a busy summer as the Frenchman looks to rebuild his squad.

As Le Bris settles into life on Wearside, we predicted what his dream summer transfer window could look like.

In: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Sunderland are one of the clubs interested in signing Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan, along with Stoke City, Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City.

Rak-Sakyi enjoyed an excellent loan spell at Charlton Athletic in League One in the 2022-23 season, scoring 15 goals and registering nine assists in 49 appearances in all competitions for the Addicks.

Despite attracting significant Championship interest last summer, Palace opted to keep Rak-Sakyi at Selhurst Park, and he made a handful of substitute appearances for the Eagles in the early weeks of the campaign, but he suffered a hamstring injury in October that ruled him out until late April.

Rak-Sakyi did return to the squad towards the end of the season, but manager Oliver Glasner admitted it would be "hard for him" to break into the team, suggesting another loan may be on the cards next term.

The 21-year-old's pace and creativity would make him a huge asset for the Black Cats, and while they face significant competition for his signature, Le Bris' reputation for developing young players could give them an advantage in the race.

In: Kieffer Moore

There is no doubt that the biggest priority for the Sunderland board this summer is to bring in a proven striker.

The Black Cats' four strikers last season, Luis Hemir Semedo, Eliezer Mayenda, Nazariy Rusyn and Mason Burstow, managed just one goal between them in all competitions, so it is essential that the club strengthen in the forward areas if they are to be competitive.

Semedo, Mayenda, Rusyn and Burstow were all big gambles by the Sunderland board, so they must change their strategy this summer and recruit an experienced number nine.

The Black Cats reportedly made a loan offer for Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore in January prior to his move to Ipswich Town, and they should reignite their interest in the 31-year-old.

Moore scored seven goals and registered one assist in 18 games for Ipswich in the second half of the season as they secured promotion to the Premier League, and he could be the missing piece that Sunderland need to challenge for a top flight return.

Jack Clarke stays

Winger Jack Clarke starred in what was an underwhelming campaign for Sunderland last season, and he was one of the standout players in the Championship.

Clarke scored 15 goals and provided four assists in 42 appearances in all competitions, and all of those goal involvements came before he sustained an ankle injury in February, so his numbers would likely have been a lot higher if he had stayed fit.

Burnley, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Bournemouth, Leicester City, Southampton, Brentford and Lazio were all linked with Clarke in January, and he is already attracting interest this summer.

Palace and Wolves reportedly remain keen on Clarke, but Southampton are said to be backing away from a deal for the winger after being put off by the Black Cats' £18 million valuation.

Sunderland will be desperate to keep hold of Clarke, and they are right to demand a significant fee for his services, but it seems likely their resolve will be tested before the end of the window.

Out: Eliezer Mayenda

With Sunderland likely to strengthen in the attacking areas this summer, there could be a few departures, and Mayenda is one player that the club may look to sell.

Mayenda joined the Black Cats from French side Sochaux last summer for a fee of just above €1 million, but it has not worked out for him at the Stadium of Light so far.

The 19-year-old failed to score in eight appearances for Sunderland in the first half of last season, and he was loaned out to Hibernian in January, but he featured just four times for the Scottish Premiership side.

Mayenda is still in the early stages of his career, and he is a player that Le Bris could potentially look to develop next season, but it seems likely he will be pushed further down the pecking order this summer, so his exit could be the right move for all parties.