Sunderland are set to return for pre-season training later soon, less than two months after confirming a 16th place finish in the Championship.
Regis Le Bris will begin his tenure as Sunderland manager with a pre-season trip to Spain in July, but will be eager to bring in some new additions before then.
The Black Cats have snapped up Simon Moore on a free transfer, but don’t appear to be close to make any further signings.
The club desperately need to bolster their attack, while the exit of Corry Evans leaves the midfield looking particularly in experienced.
Sunderland do still have the option of making Callum Styles’ loan move permanent though, having joined from Barnsley in January.
The 24-year-old mainly played as a left wing-back at the Stadium of Light, due to Sunderland’s injury problems.
However, with Aji Alese and Dennis Cirkin set to return next season, it is more likely that he would be pushed into his natural position in midfield if he did rejoin.
De Bris and Kristjaan Speakman were given the opportunity to scout Styles out yesterday, as he made his first start of Hungary’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Callum Styles underwhelms during Hungary win over Scotland
Sunderland would have likely used Styles’ performances in Germany as an indication as to whether he could earn himself a place in their squad again next term.
However, they may have been left disappointed by his display, despite the fact Hungary nicked a 1-0 win over Scotland to give them a chance to progress to the knockout stage.
Both Hungary and Scotland put on a pretty dismal showing for most of the game in Stuttgart, before Styles was withdrawn on the hour mark.
The Barnsley man had 77% passing accuracy and made one key pass, but also completed no crosses, no shots and no successful dribbles, as well as winning 33% of his ground duels and only 25% of his headers.
He lost possession seven times, made one foul and one interception, while he failed to make a single clearance, block or tackle, and was dribbled past once.
Should Sunderland still sign the Barnsley midfielder?
While Hungary are far from the best national team in Europe, they were playing against a team clearly worse than them.
Styles wasn’t up against the likes of Rodri or Jude Bellingham, but still looked far from a player that Sunderland desperately need in their team.
The Black Cats might not need to make a rash decision just yet though, as Hungary’s tournament might not be over.
Styles’ side could still progress as one of the best third-placed teams, where they will likely face one of the top teams from the competition.
Sunderland will be able to have a further look at the Bury-born international, but he may have to do a lot to redeem themselves.
That doesn’t entirely mean his time on Wearside is over though, as they might still look to bring him in as a squad player due to the team’s lack of depth.
Whether Styles will be happy to do that is another question.