These 2 players should follow Kwame Poku to Sunderland AFC this summer | OneFootball

Sunderland could target Ajax duo Henderson and Akpom, along with Peterborough’s Kwame Poku, as smart signings ahead of their Premier League return.

Following their dramatic 2-1 victory against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, Sunderland are preparing for life back in the Premier League.

Strengthening the squad is now the top priority, and the Black Cats have been linked with seemingly Birmingham-bound Kwame Poku.

Alongside Poku, in a double Ajax sweep, who are the two individuals that should be high on Sunderland's list ahead of their Premier League return?

Kwame Poku - League One's most wanted

According to recent reports from GiveMeSport, Sunderland have entered the race to sign Peterborough United forward Kwame Poku alongside a number of clubs, including Birmingham City.

The 23-year-old was one of the biggest forward threats in League One this season, with the 23-year-old raising the eyebrows of so many EFL clubs after his 12 goals and eight assists from 27 league appearances.

Poku would bring flair and versatility to Sunderland's frontline, offering depth and an attacking threat across several positions. For a newly promoted side, adding a dynamic with a proven EFL track record could be a smart long-term move.

Here, we explore two players who could well follow Poku to the Stadium of Light this summer:

Jordan Henderson

Speaking on the Kick-off podcast, Dutch journalist Mike Verveij suggested that Jordan Henderson is expected to leave Ajax in the upcoming transfer window.

A native of Sunderland, Henderson began his footballing journey in 1998 as an eight-year-old, joining the Sunderland academy. He progressed through the youth system and broke into the senior squad, making 79 first-team appearances after making his professional debut in 2008.

Verweij highlighted Rangers and Sunderland as the two primary clubs eyeing a move for Henderson this summer. This speculation comes after Ajax endured a frustrating Eredivisie campaign, falling short in the title race against PSV.

"Henderson is also being linked with Rangers," said Verveij. "There, Steven Gerrard is said to be the new coach, and he would like to get Henderson in that direction. But Sunderland are his old club."

After leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia, Henderson lasted only a few months before moving to Ajax in the January 2024 window.

Now at 34, Henderson may be considering a return to English football as he nears the closing stages of his career. A move back to Sunderland, his boyhood club, could offer a fitting homecoming, and allow him to stay closer to his family while remaining visible to England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

A move could make sense for both player and the club. While Henderson may not be the first name on the teamsheet, the midfielder would bring a wealth of experience and leadership, while also carrying an emotional connection with his roots.

Chuba Akpom

Another Ajax player facing an uncertain future is former Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom, whose time in Amsterdam with Ajax has been turbulent.

Despite showing flashes of brilliance, his career abroad has not quite taken off, and a return to English football could be the restart he needs.

Akpom's incredible 2022/23 season with Boro saw him score 28 goals, earning him the Championship Golden Boot while helping fire Michael Carrick's side into the play-offs.

That campaign marked a dramatic turnaround in a career that had previously lacked consistency through spells in England, Belgium and Greece.

Following Middlesbrough's play-off semi-final defeat, Akpom made a high-profile move to Ajax. Though not a regular starter, he still managed an impressive 15 goals across all competitions in his debut season, starting just 11 times.

But his momentum slowed. After scoring eight times in the first half of this term, Akpom was loaned to Lille in France. Unfortunately, his spell in Ligue 1 hasn't yielded the expected results, as he netted just three goals in 14 appearances.

He is now set to return to Ajax, with his long-term future remaining uncertain. At 29, Akpom remains in his prime, and he has demonstrated in recent years that he can perform and find the back of the net in multiple leagues, even amidst far-from-ideal situations in Amsterdam.

A move to Sunderland would not only bring a proven goalscorer back to the North East, but also inject energy, physicality and a clinical edge to the final third.

Why this trio makes sense for Sunderland

Bringing in Poku, Henderson and Akpom would give Sunderland a balance of youth, experience and goalscoring pedigree, with a particular emphasis on experience among an already exciting group of young talent at the Stadium of Light.

With Premier League survival the immediate goal, Sunderland are now looking to form the spine of a competitive side that carries the same youthful exuberance that has been a key component of Regis Le Bris' group this campaign.