Sunderland Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman is seen during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Leeds United at the Stadium Of Light in Sunderland, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sunderland keen on free agent currently on trial with Chelsea, Championship rival interested
Sunderland and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman were hard at work during the summer.
Kristjaan Speakman brought nine new players to Sunderland during the summer transfer window, with four players joining on deadline day alone.
Fans are eager to see some of their new signings given a proper run out in the Championship under Regis Le Bris.
And Speakman is earning plaudits for some of the club’s transfer business over the summer, which has helped Sunderland to a strong start to the 2024/25 season.
It looks as though the hard work hasn’t stopped there either, with Sunderland keeping an eye on more potential additions despite the closure of the summer transfer window.
Le Bris now has a healthy first-team squad. His side sit in 1st place of the Championship table despite a 3-2 defeat vs Plymouth Argyle last time out.
The Green Army bring a sudden halt to Sunderland’s perfect start to the season.
READ MORE: Transfer expert gives verdict on Chris Rigg at Sunderland, Euro club would be an ‘interesting route’
Sunderland and Hull City keeping tabs on Vladysla
Krapyvtsov
Sunderland are always looking to bolster their youth academy with fresh recruits.
And the latest linked with a potential move to the Stadium of Light is Vladyslav Krapyvtsov.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper was let go by Ukrainian outfit Dnipro at the start of the summer, and the Ukraine U19 man has been without a club since.
Ukrainian outlet Zorya Londonsk have relayed the news that Krapyvtsov is currently in London on trial with Chelsea’s U21s.
But Championship duo Hull City and Sunderland are also interested with Tigers boss Tim Walter ‘personally interested’ in signing Krapyvtsov.
Sunderland preparing for potential player exit
Sunderland have a quality no.1 in Anthony Patterson.
But the Sunderland academy graduate continues to attract transfer interest and so Speakman may have one eye on his future replacement.
Matty Young is in line for that spot if he continues to impress, with Simon Moore a worthy back-up should Patterson move on sooner than expected.
But Sunderland may throw another name into the mix in Krapyvtsov.
There’s little to report about the goalkeeper, other than that he’s a youth international.
But the fact that he’s on trial with Chelsea tells us that he’s a highly-rated youngster, and the growing interest in his services suggests so too.
Sunderland remains a very attractive place for youngster to come and ply their trade and get some first-team minutes under their belt.
In that regard, Sunderland could be an attractive proposition for Krapyvtsov.
