Transfer target breaks silence on Aston Villa interest as he makes agent admission

Aston Villa are among five clubs reported to be interested in Sunderland’s highly-rated full-back Trai Hume. The Northern Ireland international has caught the eye of a number of higher placed clubs with the Belfast Telegraph claiming Bournemouth and newly promoted Leicester City have joined Villa in those looking at him from the Premier League, while Napoli and Championship Leeds United are also reported to be keen.

The right-back, who was first linked with interest from Villa Park in March, made 46 appearances for the Black Cats last season and was top of the stats charts when it came to making the most tackles in the Championship.

Villa, of course, face uncertainty over current first choice right-back Matty Cash who is the subject of long-standing interest from AC Milan.

And Hume has spoken about a potential move away from the Stadium of Light. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Hume said: “I think I could play in the Premier League. You have to keep yourself at a high standard and you want to push yourself as much as you can.

“That’s the level I want to get to but I’m happy enough at Sunderland and happy where I’m at and I’m really enjoying my football. If a move happens, it happens and if doesn’t I’m happy to play for Sunderland.”

When asked about transfer speculation, Hume said: “I try not to think about it. I let my agent deal with all that stuff and until they come to Sunderland and offer money I don’t pay too much attention to it.”

The Northern Ireland ace still has three years left on his contract and was comfortably one of our best performers last season, so there is absolutely no reason why the club would allow him to leave.

Hume has proven his versatility across the back line, having played at right-back and left-back for Sunderland this season. He also deputised at centre-half at the tail end of last season.

Sunderland paid in the region of £200,000 for Hume back in, 2022, and could cash in on the defender this summer. He is currently contracted to the Black Cats until 2027, with the club holding the option of another year.