Leeds United, contenders for promotion to the Championship, are looking to reinforce their defense in the upcoming summer transfer window. Sunderland’s Trai Hume has emerged as a target for Leeds United, with several English clubs, including Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Leicester City, also monitoring the player closely.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, Serie A champions Napoli are also showing keen interest in Hume. The 21-year-old, capped 10 times by Northern Ireland since his international debut in 2022, caught the attention of Burnley during the January transfer window, although a move did not materialize.
Hume has showcased his abilities for Sunderland this season, accumulating over 40 appearances for the Championship side. He has demonstrated his versatility by playing in various defensive positions throughout the 2023/24 season. Sunderland acquired Hume for approximately £200,000 two years ago, with his current contract extending until the summer of 2027.
In a recent incident, Hume was involved in a peculiar situation when then Sunderland manager Michael Beale appeared to ignore him after being substituted, sparking viral attention on social media. Beale later clarified that he did not intend to snub Hume as he left the pitch.
Leeds United, who were displaced from the top of the Championship after a 2-2 draw with Watford on Good Friday, are expected to bolster their defensive options in the summer. It appears unlikely that Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, and Luke Ayling will be offered contract extensions, while loan players Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts are set to return to Tottenham and Burnley, respectively, at the end of the promotion race.
