Sunderland only have a matter of weeks to wait until the summer transfer window opens.
It’s hard to work out whether that is a good thing, considering the number of Sunderland players linked with moves away.
The transfer window has become a very nervy place on Wearside, having failed to impress with their transfer window since the summer of their promotion.
The Black Cats are unlikely to make any progress until they appoint a new manager, but there is hope that they will make some changes to their underwhelming transfer policy.
Sunderland have recently signed a number of young players with very little experience, as well as players from abroad who have struggled to settle into English football.
While the quality of player is still important, Kristjaan Speakman needs to start looking to the EFL to bolster his ranks this summer.
The Black Cats will surely be eager to snap up some Championship talent, however looking at the players who have just won promotion from League One could also be useful.
There is plenty of quality in the third tier, and while Oxford, Portsmouth and Derby players have the opportunity to play in the Championship, they could be tempted to move to a team that are unlikely to get relegated straight away.
Here are five newly-promoted stars that Sunderland should target…
Five newly-promoted players for Sunderland to sign
Josh Murphy
Sunderland have already been linked with Josh Murphy after sending scouts to watch him in action earlier this season.
The winger has racked up ten goals and six assists in League One, bagging the brace to help Oxford win the play-offs.
The U’s are eager to extend his contract with the club, but Murphy could be tempted to leave, with Oxford one of the favourites to go straight back down.
Ebou Adams
Ebou Adams joined Derby County on loan in January and was‘immense‘ for them.
The midfielder made the fifth-most tackles (47) and blocked the third-most passes (29), despite only playing at Pride Park for a few months.
The Rams are eager to sign Adams permanently, but could be a solid squad player if Sunderland were to intervene.
Paddy Lane
Portsmouth only paid around £250,000 to Fleetwood Town for Paddy Lane last year and he has proven to be a real bargain.
The 23-year-old picked up 12 goals and seven assists in League One this season, while he has shown his talent on both sides of the attack.
It would be very difficult to prise Lane away from Pompey, however having been born in Halifax and grown up in Lancashire, he could be tempted by a move north.
Colby Bishop
Sunderland desperately need a goalscorer and Colby Bishop may be worth taking a punt on.
The striker has netted 41 goals in 90 league appearances for Pompey, while his career total is 117 goals in 289 senior matches.
Bishop has previously been linked with Millwall, Ipswich and Blackburn, and could be a worthy signing to help out the Black Cats’ struggling frontline.
Elliott Moore
Elliott Moore has been vital for Oxford United this term, captaining the team to their play-off success.
The 27-year-old has made the third-most clearances in League One (231) and won the fifth-most headers (224)
Moore only has a year left on his contract and could be a quality addition to Sunderland’s threadbare central defence.