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Scouting Success: Hume Attracts Top Tier Attention
Aston Villa and Bournemouth are reportedly keeping a watchful eye on Sunderland’s Trai Hume, with the Premier League pair showing keen interest in the Northern Ireland international. After a season of impressive performances at the Stadium of Light, scouts have taken notice, hinting at a potential summer transfer battle for the defender’s signature.
Defensive Dynamo: Hume’s Championship Heroics
Trai Hume’s standout statistics from the last Championship season have not gone unnoticed, with the 22-year-old making a name for himself as a tackling titan. His 97 successful tackles not only topped the charts but also outstripped his nearest rival, Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy, by a significant margin. With versatility to play both right-back and centre-back, Hume is an attractive prospect for clubs looking to bolster their backline.
Contract and Commitment: Hume’s Sunderland Stint
Despite the mounting interest, Hume is tied to Sunderland until 2027, having penned a new deal just last June. Since his move from Linfield for £150,000 in January 2022, Hume has been a mainstay in the Sunderland defence, featuring in every Championship game last season and starting all but one. His contributions helped Sunderland secure a 16th place finish, with personal averages of 3.3 tackles, 1.8 clearances, and 1.4 interceptions per game.
Price Tag and Prospects: Premier League Beckons
With reports suggesting a valuation of around £8 million for Hume’s services, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are considering making their move. The opportunity to step up to the Premier League could be on the horizon for Hume, with Villa looking to strengthen ahead of their Champions League campaign and Bournemouth aiming to build on a stable 12th place finish. However, Villa’s manager Unai Emery is currently focused on trimming the squad to meet financial targets, as they need to generate £60 million in player sales this summer.
Transfer Tussle: Everton Enters the Fray
In related transfer news, Everton has emerged as a potential competitor for Aston Villa’s transfer targets, signalling an intriguing off-season as clubs vie for promising talent to enhance their squads for the upcoming campaign.
