Despite a disappointing 16th-place finish in the Championship last season, Sunderland remains concerned about the potential departure of their top talents to higher-tier clubs this summer. Jack Clarke, who scored 15 goals for Sunderland, consistently served as a beacon of hope even when the team’s performance was lackluster. His impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with newly-promoted Southampton, under Russell Martin, reportedly preparing a significant bid for him. Similarly, Sunderland’s homegrown goalkeeper, Anthony Patterson, has been the subject of transfer speculation, attracting interest from Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers.