Lee Hendrie expects clubs to "come knocking" for Sunderland's Trai Hume | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie believes that Premier League clubs could come in for Trai Hume.

Sunderland right-back Trai Hume has been a huge success at the Stadium of Light since his arrival in January 2022.

The Black Cats won promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs at the end of Hume's debut season on Wearside and since then, he has shown what he is capable of in the second tier of English football.

The 22-year-old has only missed one league game this season, after featuring in all 46 last term, and his availability is not the only thing that stands out about him as a player, as he has also been a key figure at right-back.

Hume has provided six assists in the Championship so far this season, all of which have contributed towards Regis Le Bris' side picking up vital points in their promotion push.

No player in the Sunderland squad has provided more assists, created more big chances, or made more successful tackles per 90 than Hume in the league this term.

The Northern Ireland international will no doubt be fully focused on helping Sunderland secure a return to the Premier League this season, but if they are unable to do so, it would be no surprise to see top-flight clubs show interest.

Lee Hendrie believes other clubs "may come knocking" for Hume

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie spoke exclusively to Football League World about Trai Hume's performances for Sunderland and admitted that it would be no surprise if other clubs were keen on signing him.

"Trai Hume at Sunderland has been excellent, you know," Hendrie said.

"I think he has been a really consistent player for them. Again, it is such a young squad and a young team that I think it has brought out the best in some of those players that they have at Sunderland.

"Players like that are being consistent and they are showing it week in, week out on a big stage in front of a good following. That is always going to raise eyebrows, and clubs are always going to start sniffing around to see if they can take them away from the football club.

"I mean, what a steal it was. What a bargain, £150k. You think he could move on because defensively he is very good, and he does venture forward and be a big threat further forward as well, so yeah, he was an unbelievable signing for Sunderland.

"You do feel that, if they do not get promoted, other clubs may come knocking and take him away."

Trai Hume has attracted Premier League interest

When Sunderland signed Hume from Northern Irish side Linfield FC just over three years ago, they were unlikely to have anticipated how much he would have developed by this stage of his career, especially considering they only spent £150,000 to sign him, as per accountant Chris Weatherspoon on X.

Premier League sides Aston Villa and AFC Bournemouth were reportedly interested in signing the right-back last summer, according to Football Insider, but a deal never materialised.

However, his performances during the first half of the 2024/25 campaign did nothing to deter any potential suitors, as Fulham were linked with a £20 million move for him earlier this year.

Sunderland will hope that keeping Hume can help them win promotion back to the top flight this season, because if not, he will be one of several players that they may struggle to keep hold of in the summer.