"We've got the funds" - Sunderland AFC urged to land transfer coup for 47-cap international this summer | OneFootball

The Black Cats have relied on the loanee for much of this season.

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's push to return to the Premier League has involved many contributing factors. Few have been as consistent as their AFC Bournemouth loanee, Chris Mepham.

The Welsh international defender joined the Black Cats on Deadline Day in the summer transfer window. His experience very quickly shone through and earned himself a starting spot in Regis Le Bris' side that he has rarely relinquished this season.

Le Bris has said that it's a possibility that Sunderland will try to sign Mepham permanently next summer. The player himself has also admitted that he'd be open to returning to Wearside next season.

Sunderland urged to land Chris Mepham on a permanent basis this summer

Which league the Black Cats are in may play into whether they would be able to bring the 27-year-old back to the Stadium of Light once his loan deal expires at the end of this campaign. Regardless of their league position, Football League World's Sunderland fan pundit, Jordan Newcombe, wants to see his side pursue a permanent agreement with the defender.

Jordan said: "I think, no matter what, Sunderland should be going in for Chris Mepham, whether it's now, later or sooner. He's a top quality defender who has proven in the Premier League, he's proven in the Championship and he's been doing well.

"To be part of that Sunderland team is good for him too because he's getting better game time, he's getting more game time, he's enjoying more of his sport. As a Sunderland fan, to see someone of that quality in that defence who is actually our player for a season or two, it's a massive thing.

"If we go up we should be getting him in, but we should be getting him no matter what. We've got the funds to do it.

"I'm not too sure on what I'd pay, because he's a top-notch defender, he has been around the Premier League for many years. He's unbelievable at the back, he holds people off, he wins in the air, he wins everything.

"So I'm not too sure what I would put him down as price-wise, but we should definitely make him a permanent signing as fast as we can so we can capitalise on this massive defender who's hopefully going to stay at Sunderland and be here for years to come.

"If he can get us to the Premier League this season, then it's a big move for Mepham, and it's a big move for us."

Chris Mepham is a deal that Sunderland must do if they win promotion

Outside of the financial deficit they face, the biggest problem that teams coming up from the Championship face is adapting to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

The Championship is considered to be quite a tough league to play in, but it pales in comparison to the level above.

This Sunderland side has very little experience in general, let alone in the Premier League.

On his own it probably wouldn't be enough, but having Mepham in their dressing room would be a big help for Le Bris and the rest of his players if they were to go up this season.