With the summer transfer window set to close soon, Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson and his recruitment team have been working to strengthen the squad and ensure that transfer news continues to be in full swing. Following the arrival of left-back Dennis Cirkin from Tottenham Hotspur, another new signing arrived on Wearside ahead of the Black Cats’ second league game of the season. Frederik Alves has joined on loan from Premier League club West Ham United.
Plus, we have the latest on the ongoing contract situation regarding Denver Hume and has striker Will Grigg played his last game for the club?
Sunderland Transfer News: Defender Signs, Hume Rejects Contract and Grigg Set to Leave
West Ham United Defender Frederik Alves Signs on Loan
Sunderland have completed their fifth signing of the summer. West Ham central defender Frederik Alves has joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan. The Denmark U21 international joined the Hammers from Silkeborg on a three-and-a-half-year deal in January. The 21-year-old becomes the third defensive player to join the club this summer, following in the footsteps of Callum Doyle and Dennis Cirkin.
Following the announcement that Alves had joined, Lee Johnson told safc.com a little about Alves’ background,
“Frederik is a player that we have followed closely throughout the past six months, so we are delighted to welcome him to the club,” he said.
“He’s a high-quality footballer, and an Under-21 international, and this is a great opportunity for him to continue his development at senior level, having experienced regular first-team action during his time in Denmark. He is good on the ball, tall and mobile and we now have real strength in depth in central defence.”
Denver Hume Rejects Contract
Transfer news at Sunderland as also involved outgoings. Denver Hume, who is currently out of contract, has rejected the contract offered to him by the club. Left-back Hume is still at the club as he recovers from an injury, but the latest news suggests that a deal is unlikely to be agreed.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo ahead of Saturday’s game at MK Dons, Lee Johnson gave an update on the Denver Hume contract situation. He said: “In terms of negotiations, they have been considered and the best offer has been put forward but the best offer has been declined.
“But at the same time the door is always open while that process is going on for Denver to take that contract offer and that will be up to him his family and his representatives to decide.”
The 23-year-old Academy of Light graduate is now a free agent but is still at the club training as he attempts to regain fitness following his latest injury. It appears that fans may have seen the last of Hume in a Sunderland shirt.
Will Grigg to Leave?
Northern Ireland international striker Will Grigg could be set to depart the Stadium of Light and end a disastrous spell at the club. Signed in January 2019 from Wigan Athletic for a fee that could have risen to £4 million, it was hoped that he could supply the goals to fire Sunderland to the Championship. However, Grigg has scored just eight goals in 62 appearances, and appears to be wanting a move away from the club.
Grigg has struggled for goals and form since arriving and wants a return to the Midlands, where his family are. He has fallen behind others at the club for a place in the team and only made the bench for the recent Carabao Cup game at Port Vale. Speaking about the striker, Lee Johnson said: “I think Will has got a bit to do to be honest with you. He’s a good player, you can see the balance and technique, the finishing and quality.
“I think the postcode isn’t ideal and where Will is he’s going to need to commit more in his actions and his training, that comes with having to be at your best at every minute of every day and we very much demand that quality. Will has made it pretty clear over the period of time that he wanted to get back closer to his family that are residing in around the Midlands area.
“I think that will wash itself out over the course of the next 19 days, but at the same time there is never a grudge held and every individual has got to do all he can to maximise his chances of being in our team.”
As the summer transfer window closes, Sunderland and Grigg could finally part ways and put an end to a relationship that failed from the moment it began.
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