Aston Villa identify Championship defender as potential summer recruit

Aston Villa are interested in a move for Sunderland defender Trai Hume this summer, according to a report by the Belfast Telegraph.

Unai Emery's side are being linked with a swoop for the Championship man in the next transfer window along with fellow Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. Second tier promotion chasing pair Leeds United and Leicester City have also been credited with an interest, as have Serie A giants Napoli.

It appears that Sunderland will face a battle to keep hold of the Northern Ireland international at the end of this season.

Hume, 22, joined the North East outfit back in 2022 and has since become one of their key players.

Prior to his switch to England, he rose up through the academy ranks at Linfield and broke into their first-team as a youngster, playing 27 times.

He has made 75 appearances for the Black Cats in all competitions to date and has scored four goals.

The full-back helped Sunderland gain promotion from League One in his first campaign and was then part of their squad who reached the play-offs last year. However, they were beaten at the semi-finals stage over two legs by eventual winners Luton Town.

Aston Villa could see Hume as a useful long-term addition. He would compete with Matty Cash for a place in their starting XI.

The Ballymena-born has potential to grow and develop in the future and has already played a decent amount of games so far in his career at Sunderland.