Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Leeds United learn price of Sunderland transfer target

Aston Villa are among several clubs across Europe that are interested in signing Sunderland defender Trai Hume.

Belfast Telegraph's Sunday Life Sport broke the news that the Villains are one of six clubs interested in signing the Northern Ireland international. Villa along with Premier League side Bournemouth are interested, whilst Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United and Leicester City are also keen. Last season's Serie A winners Napoli have also been listed as a potential destination.

Hume is a first team regular at the Stadium of Light, and has adapted well to playing in the Championship after joining from Linfield in January 2022. He was bought from the Northern Ireland outfit for a fee of £150,000, and according to Sunday Life Sport, he is valued by Sunderland at £8m, which if met could pocket Linfield £1.2m after including a transfer clause in the deal.

Sunderland are in a good negotiating position because Hume signed a contract extension in June 2023. He is with Sunderland until the summer of 2027, and has been ever present for them in the Championship this term.

Hume is also capable of playing as a centre-back after being shifted there for Northern Ireland following the emergence of Conor Bradley at Liverpool. He has been capped six times for the senior team after making his debut in March 2022.

Villa's right-back options for Villa this season has been Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa. Cash is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that he sustained whilst on international duty with Poland. Konsa is naturally a centre-back but slotted in to the role seamlessly when required.

A move for Hume would prompt some questions however given the recent aquisition of Kosta Nedeljković. The 18-year-old was signed for a reported £8m plus add-ons in January 2024 from Red Star Belgrade. He was allowed to remain with the Serbian club until the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, but will link up with his new teammates this summer.