Sunderland are running out of time to appoint a manager before the transfer window opens.
Sunderland will surely be eager to bring in a new head coach before transfers are made, and they certainly don’t want all their first choice targets to go elsewhere.
With just over a week to go, Pascal Jansen appears to be one of the favourites to take over on Wearside.
The 51-year-old has been out of work since January and is now said to be of ‘serious interest’ to Sunderland, having been on their radar since Michael Beale was sacked.
Jansen has worked under some brilliant managers such as Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot, while he has also helped develop some even better players such as Cody Gakpo, Milos Kerkez and Calvin Stengs.
Jansen’s relationships with his former clubs and players could really benefit Sunderland, with the coach surely likely to bring some signings over from the Netherlands if he joins the Championship outfit.
Here are four players that Jensen could sign for Sunderland this summer…
Four signings Pascal Jansen could bring to Sunderland
Bruno Martins Indi
The defender joined AZ Alkmaar two months before Pascal Jansen was named head coach. He went onto make his move permanent the following summer and has since racked up 113 appearances.
The 32-year-old has struggled with injuries over the past couple of seasons and could well be out of AZ’s plans as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract.
Given that he has been playing European football, it could be an ambitious move for Sunderland.
However, Martins Indi may look to reignite his career and link back up with Jansen.
The Black Cats desperately need some experience and leadership in their squad and the defender would be ideal for that, having already spent five years in England with Stoke City.
Peer Koopmeiners
Jansen signed the defensive midfielder as a 21 year old in 2021, linking up with older brother Teun.
Peer managed only eleven appearances for the senior team before he was loaned out to Excelsior and then Almere City.
The 24-year-old enjoyed great success with the latter, making 34 appearances and claiming an impressive ten assists as they finished 13th in Eredivisie.
Koopmeiners also made the second-most interceptions (41), the second-most clearances (117) and the most key passes (61). He also made the most successful tackles (115) and the fourth-most blocked passes (41) in the whole league.
The midfielder is able to play in midfield and defence and could be a really good shout if Jansen wanted to reunite with him on Wearside.
Ernest Poku
The forward was brought into the Jong AZ team in April 2021 and was on fire in the Eerste Divisie this season, netting 12 goals and providing two assists in 17 appearances.
Jansen regularly brought him into the senior team and he featured 21 times last term, though managed only five starts and one goal.
The youngster was also ranked 15th in FootballOranje.com‘s Top 30 Dutch U20 Talents.
While AZ may not allow him to leave permanently due to his potential, it could be an idea for Sunderland to snap him up on loan.
Dani de Wit
Dani de Wit came through the academy at Ajax and won the Eerste Divisie, Eredivisie and KNVB Cup before signing for AZ in 2019.
The attacking midfielder was a key player under Jansen and has picked up 67 goal contributions in 188 matches for the Dutch club.
De Wit’s contract is set to expire this summer and he looks set to leave AZ, while Jansen could make an ambitious swoop to reunite with him in England.