A major update has emerged for Sunderland, one that could lead to a disaster for sporting director Kristjaan Speakman this summer.

What's the talk?

According to Football League World, Championship side Middlesbrough are eyeing up a potential swoop for Sunderland left-back Denvor Hume. The report claims that 'Boro boss Neil Warnock is a fan of Hume would be interested in taking the opportunity to snap him up on a free transfer next month.

Sunderland have confirmed that they have offered a contract extension to Hume, who is currently due to leave the club at the end of June. The left-back has not responded to Sunderland's offer and is seemingly weighing up his options as he heads into the final weeks of his current deal.

Back in 2019, Sunderland legend Gary Bennett praised Hume for being “direct” and said that he adds tempo to the game with his style of play. He told the Sunderland Echo:

“He gets the ball and brings a little bit more tempo into the game and goes past people. He’s direct and he causes one or two more problems. But if you take him out of the game, where else is that coming from?”

Fans will be livid

Sunderland sporting director Speakman is facing a disaster with this news as Middlesbrough could tempt Hume into ditching Wearside for Teeside. Middlesbrough are playing in a higher division than Sunderland and could possibly offer him regular game time in the Championship, which could be hard for him to turn down.

Fans will be livid if Speakman is unable to agree to fresh terms and the move to Middlesbrough does go through, as the club would not only be losing a top performer, but they'd be leaving him to a local rival, which is never ideal.

Hume averaged an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.03 in 13 starts as a left wing-back in League One, with Charlie Wyke and Aiden McGeady the only Sunderland players who achieved a higher score than that over the course of the campaign. This suggests that Hume has been a key cog in Lee Johnson's side since his switch to wing-back and his exit could upset fans who have been able to enjoy his recent displays in the side.

The £2.4k-per-week ace's exit would also leave Sunderland without a senior left-back on the books. Sunderland have already confirmed that Callum McFadzean will be released at the end of his contract and Hume leaving would force the club into the transfer market to find a new number three for next season.

This is another reason why Speakman is facing a disaster with this news, as it could mean that he has to source a suitable replacement for Hume and that could be difficult given the defender's impressive displays at League One level.

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