THE start of the season remains more than a month away, but Sunderland have already wrapped up a fair chunk of their summer transfer business. Throw in the new deals that have been agreed with Trai Hume and Dennis Cirkin, and it has been an extremely successful few weeks for the Black Cats.

Jobe Bellingham is the standout summer signing so far, with the midfielder having made a £3m switch from Birmingham City. He does not turn 18 until September, but Bellingham is a hugely-exciting talent with a large amount of potential.

Defensively, Sunderland have added Nectarios Triantis and Jenson Seelt to the ranks, two young centre-halves who have made solid starts to their career in Australia and the Netherlands respectively. Both will be making a step up when they head into the Championships; both will no doubt benefit from Tony Mowbray’s astute handling of young players.

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At the other end of the field, Hemir (Luis Semedo) arrives having previously plied his trade with Benfica’s B team. He looks an exciting prospect, although it remains to be seen whether he is ready to start leading the line in the Championship.

With Ross Stewart unlikely to be fit for the start of the season, and with doubts still existing over his long-term future, Sunderland surely need at least one more senior forward to see them through the season. That could turn out to be Ellis Simms, with the Black Cats having held a series of discussions with Everton about their former loanee. If Everton allow Simms to leave this summer, Sunderland look well placed to re-sign the 22-year-old, who did so well for them in the first half of last season. There is also still a chance that Amad Diallo could return on another loan.

What about outgoings? Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman have not had to sanction a high-profile departure so far, but it would be a surprise if the Black Cats made it to the end of the window with that situation intact.

Sunderland’s transfer policy is based around them signing young players they can develop and sell at a profit, and the time is surely approaching where, on at least one front, they look to cash in.

Can the Black Cats continue to turn down offers from Burnley for Jack Clarke? The Clarets have tabled two bids for the winger, which have been rejected at the Stadium of Light. If Burnley can get close to matching Sunderland’s £15m valuation, that might well change.

West Ham are interested in Dan Ballard, while there remain doubts over Patrick Roberts, who has entered the final year of his current deal.


INS: Nectarios Triantis (from Central Coast Marriners), Hemir (from Benfica), Jenson Seelt (from PSV Eindhoven), Jobe Bellingham (from Birmingham)


OUTS: Carl Winchester (released)


TARGETS: Ethan Galbraith, Amad Diallo, Ellis Simms,