Lee Hendrie believes that signing Chris Mepham on a permanent basis would be a “brilliant” financial decision for Sunderland AFC.
The centre back is presently on loan with the Black Cats from Premier League club AFC Bournemouth and has performed admirably in the heart of their defence this season.
Previous reports have claimed that the Cherries could be open to allowing the Welsh international to leave the club this summer, although they do possess an option to extend his current deal for another season.
Sunderland are expected to face interest from some of their current Championship opponents for Mepham’s signature, but given that they won the race to recruit him in the summer, they should be in a strong position to make his stay in the North East permanent.
Lee Hendrie thinks Mepham would be a brilliant signing for Sunderland
Since joining Bournemouth from Brentford in 2019, Mepham has primarily served as a backup option on the south coast.
Now 27, his loan transfer to Sunderland has provided him with vital game time at this point of his career. So far, the defender has started nearly three-quarters of their league games and has established himself as an important member of Regis Le Bris’ team.
Despite having the division’s youngest side, with an average age of only 23.2, Le Bris’ players have had a terrific season and could return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
They have a group full of promising young players like Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, but Mepham brings essential experience and knowledge of the game.
The defender has over 60 top-flight matches and 47 caps for his country. During his international career, he competed in both the World Cup and the European Championship, two of the world’s largest stages.
Sky Sports analyst Lee Hendrie believes that experience will be critical to Sunderland’s improvement in the coming seasons. Speaking exclusively to Football League World, the former Aston Villa and England player indicated that he believes signing Mepham on a permanent basis would be a fantastic move for Sunderland.
Hendrie stated, “I believe that would be a wonderful move for both of them. I believe he has done an excellent job and brings experience to a youthful Sunderland side.
“I believe he will provide them with all of the necessary expertise, together with Luke O’Nien at the back. “Those two are the squad’s only experienced players.” I believe that if they were to sign him on a permanent basis, that would be a fantastic signing, and I would even go so far as to say that it is a must.
Sunderland will face competition for Mepham
According to recent reports, Sunderland may face competition for Mepham from some of the Championship’s best clubs.
The Black Cats had to compete with Sheffield United and Celtic to bring the defender to the Stadium of Light on loan in the summer, and they appear to be in for a similar battle again.
It would be unsurprising to see the Blades rekindle their interest in Mepham this summer, especially if they gain promotion back to the Premier League, while current Championship table-toppers Leeds United are also said to have been admirers of the player in the past.
Bournemouth paid Brentford £12 million for Mepham’s services in 2019, and with the defender’s contract expiring in the summer, the Cherries are expected to trigger the provision for an automatic extension.
However, it is believed that this is merely done to recuperate a portion of the original money.
