Dan Ballard could leave Sunderland for Sheffield United - These 4 replacements must be on Regis Le Bris' list already | OneFootball

The Black Cats may have to start planning for life without key man Ballard

Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard could depart the Stadium of Light in the upcoming summer transfer window, with fellow Championship promotion-chasers Sheffield United reportedly interested in making a move for his services.

Northern Ireland international Ballard has been with the Black Cats for close to three years now, after he joined the Wearside club from Arsenal in June 2022 on a three-year deal for a reported £2 million fee.

He has since been an important figure in their backline over recent seasons when fit, especially during their promotion push this term, but has suffered recurring injury issues that have hampered his and the Black Cats' progress.

Ballard is clearly a great talent with high potential, and Sunderland are reportedly set to demand around £12 to £15 million for his signature this summer, after Football League World exclusively revealed that Sheffield United are interested in signing him soon, providing that their promotion back to the top flight of English football is secured.

With that in mind, Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris may have to start planning for life without his key man next season, and FLW have picked out four centre-backs that Sunderland could sign this summer to replace a player of his quality and stature.

Harry Darling

Harry Darling has been the closest player, statistics-wise, to Ballard in the Championship this season, according to FBref's player comparison data. The 25-year-old joined Swansea City from MK Dons in 2022 on a three-year deal, and so is currently set to leave South Wales upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

Darling has been a consistently standout performer for the Swans since his arrival, and it comes as little surprise to see him rated so similarly to Ballard, given their impressive respective abilities with the ball at their feet, aerial prowess, and knack of popping up with a goal from a set-piece.

He has previously been linked with a move to the Blades, but with new reports of their interest in Ballard, Sunderland may well have a real chance of signing him to replace the Northern Irishman.

Darling is out of contract at the Swansea.com Stadium in June, and looks set to leave with no new updates on whether he will sign a new deal. The Black Cats could certainly do a lot worse than signing him to replace Ballard, if he departs soon.

Ashley Phillips

Ashley Phillips may only be 19-years-old, but he has been Stoke City's best centre-back this season after moving to the Potters on loan from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.

Phillips, who emerged through Blackburn Rovers' academy, has featured 35 times in all competitions in a turbulent campaign at the bet365 Stadium, but has impressed in his first full season of first-team action after spending some of last term at Plymouth Argyle and picking up their Young Player of the Year award.

Sunderland have built their recent successes on a young core of their squad, and so Phillips would fit right into their thinking if they were to snap him up on a loan deal this summer from Spurs.

He is quick, strong and athletic, which are all attributes that also describe Ballard, so the Black Cats may well look to North London to bring him in soon.

Japhet Tanganga

A potential signing that would be more ambitious than the previous two mentioned is that of Japhet Tanganga from Millwall. The ex-Spurs man has been a real hit at The Den since his initial loan move last January, which was then turned into a permanent transfer in the summer.

Tanganga has been one of the second-tier's best defenders this season, which is more impressive considering he has been playing for a club that has largely been sat mid-table throughout the campaign. The 26-year-old has been a mainstay at the heart of the Millwall defence, with 40 appearances and two goals to his name so far.

While Sunderland are chasing promotion themselves this season, it is fair to say that they would have a job on their hands in getting Tanganga to make the move to the Stadium of Light if they are still in the Championship for 2025/26.

Premier League outfit Wolves were believed to be tracking him prior to the January window, while the likes of West Ham, Ipswich Town and Southampton have also been linked with a move. The Black Cats could struggle to compete on a financial level with those clubs, but the windfall from a possible Ballard sale may make a potential approach for the 26-year-old viable.

Mark McGuinness

Luton Town's woes have been well-documented this term, and with the club sat in the Championship relegation zone with just four games to secure safety, a player like Mark McGuinness would surely be on his way out if they were to be in League One for next season.

McGuinness came through Arsenal's academy, and joined Cardiff City in 2021 after impressing on loan at Ipswich Town. He made over 85 appearances for the Bluebirds in three seasons, then moved to the Hatters last summer for a reported fee of around £10m.

The Republic of Ireland international has impressed at times for Luton, despite their obvious struggles, and they are set for a huge squad overhaul if their worst fears are realised over the next month.

Much like Ballard, he ranks very highly for aerials won per 90 when compared to other Championship players in his position this season, and Sunderland could well swoop for his services this summer, as a result of the Hatters' possible need for sales. They would certainly be getting a solid second-tier centre-back, and one who has the potential to improve even further at 24-years-old.