A player set to feature in this summer’s Euro tournament is reportedly open to joining Sunderland.
Sunderland finished the 2023/24 season in a weak vein of form, winning just twice under interim boss Mike Dodds and eventually placing in 16th.
In the end, only six points separated Sunderland from what would’ve been a catastrophic return to League One.
Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus now has a huge managerial appointment to make, whilst Kristjaan Speakman has a huge summer transfer window to help oversee.
Sunderland appear to be closing in on Liam Rosenior as their next manager, but the Black Cats face competition from Championship rivals Burnley.
Once a new manager is in place, Sunderland and Speakman can really start to move forward with their summer transfer plans.
The Black Cats have been linked with a few names so far, though more names appear to be linked with moves away from the Stadium of Light.
One who could return though is Callum Styles.
Callum Styles open to Sunderland return
Styles, 24, joined Sunderland on loan from Barnsley during the January transfer window, eventually featuring 12 times in the Championship and claiming one assist.
On the whole, it was a mixed loan spell for Styles who started poorly but finished stronger when he was playing in his more familiar left wing-back position.
Sunderland reportedly hold an option to buy Styles from Barnsley, where his contract expires in 2025, and an emerging report from The Athletic has clarified his situation.
Oliver Kay writes that Styles ‘will be in the shop window’ at the Euros in Germany this summer, and that he ‘enjoyed his time at Sunderland but is unsure of their plans as they are yet to appoint a new manager’.
Kay adds on Styles’ next club, ‘if not Sunderland, then he [Styles] hopes to be back in the Championship with another club’.
Styles then appears to be open to a return to Wearside this summer. But it remains to be seen whether or not the feeling is mutual.
Why Sunderland may think twice about Callum Styles permanent deal
Styles showed glimpses of his class when at Sunderland; he’s a very combative player and his versatility is what makes him sought after.
He’s had links away from Barnsley for several years now and with his contract out in 2025, it looks like he’ll finally seal his move away from Oakwell.
For Sunderland though, signing Styles may not be the best way to spend their money this summer.
Styles looks best as a left wing-back, but that’s a position where the Black Cats are quite well-stocked with Dennis Cirkin, Aji Alese, Le Hjelde, and Niall Huggins in that area.
Although Styles is a perhaps a more attacking full-back than those, Sunderland have other areas on the pitch where money is needed; mainly in attack with the Black Cats once again needing a striker.
So for Speakman, Styles may not be the smartest summer signing; he’s a good player and would do a job, but the Black Cats need to be smart with their finances.
That, and whoever the next Sunderland manager is might not fancy Styles either. But if he has a good Euros with Hungary, he could secure an exciting transfer this summer.