AdminThe summer transfer window always throws out some crazy stories and Sunderland full-back Trai Hume has already been the subject of an odd transfer link.
It was recently reported that Spanish giants Real Madrid have the Northern Ireland international on a list of potential right-back targets to come in and compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Regis Le Bris does not have too much to worry about, though, as the LaLiga side are set to sign Inter star Denzel Dumfries to fill that slot on the right side of the defence.
When asked about the links on international duty, the Black Cats defender said: “Obviously, I seen it, but I didn’t really think too much of it to be honest.”
It was a curious link, with all due respect to Hume, because the Sunderland star was not a regular at right-back in the Premier League this season, starting 11 times on the right wing and ten times at left-back.
Sunderland considering move for West Ham United star
Nordi Mukiele was often preferred ahead of the Northern Irishman in his favoured position, leaving him to play on the wing or at left-back to get minutes, and the Frenchman may start the 2026/27 campaign as the first-choice at right-back.
Now, the club are reportedly looking at a star who would send Hume even further down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light next season.
According to West Ham United insider ExWHUEmployee, Sunderland are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka after their relegation from the Premier League.
Speaking to The West Ham Way, ExWHUEmployee said: “There is interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Everton are one club thought to be keen but Sunderland, Newcastle, Fulham and Turkish side Fenerbahce are also said to be monitoring the situation.
“Everton seem the most advance out of those clubs. Interestingly though if Fenerbahce interest amounts to anything, he could replace Nelson Semedo at right back”
They added: “Without players included the club will be looking for between £15-£20m for the full back and he will also be going to the World Cup where he can further showcase his ability.”
Sunderland, therefore, could see a bid of up to £20m accepted for the DR Congo international if they decide to formalise their interest with an official offer.
Why this is bad news for Sunderland defender Trai Hume
Hume’s natural position is right-back and that is where he has played the majority of his football at the Stadium of Light, certainly before Mukiele came through the door to take his starting berth.
The signing of Wan-Bissaka from West Ham this summer would add another player between the Northern Irishman and a regular starting role in his favoured position.
Despite being relegated from the top-flight with the Hammers, the £20m-rated full-back’s performances suggest that he would arrive on Wearside as a better option at right-back for Le Bris than Hume.
| 25/26 PL | Wan-Bissaka | Hume |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 25 | 28 |
| Assists | 2 | 1 |
| Cross accuracy | 38% | 15% |
| Tackles + interceptions per game | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Dribbled past per game | 0.3x | 0.8x |
| Clearances per game | 3.8 | 2.6 |
Wan-Bissaka, once dubbed a “monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is known for being a defence-first full-back who excels in one-on-one challenges and making sliding tackles, yet he outperformed the Sunderland right-back from an offensive perspective.
His far superior cross success rate suggests that the DR Congo international could provide more of a threat down the right flank on the overlap than the Northern Irishman, adding another dimension to the team’s attack.
The 28-year-old star also showed his offensive quality in the 2024/25 campaign with seven ‘big chances’ created and five assists for West Ham, whilst he also scored two goals.
In that season, Wan-Bissaka averaged 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game and averaged 1.8 completed dribbles per game, whilst Hume only averaged 0.1 completed dribbles per match in the league this term.
The Sunderland transfer target’s form in the Premier League for West Ham in the last two Premier League seasons suggest that he would be far better than Hume as an out-and-out defender, as he gets dribbled past less and makes more defensive interventions, whilst also offering more as a creative threat on the ball.
That is why the club’s interest in signing the former Manchester United full-back should come as bad news for the reported Real Madrid target, as it could leave him as the third-choice option behind Mukiele and Wan-Bissaka in the Premier League next season.
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