Major Sunderland 'worry' outlined as concerning milestone reached amid £8m Leeds United transfer links

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Sunderland’s failure to secure a permanent manager could encourage key players to leave amid reports of interest in Trai Hume.

The Black Cats have been without a permanent head coach since sacking Michael Beale in February, with Mike Dodds taking interim charge and leading his side to a disappointing 16th-place finish. That decision was taken on the basis that those in charge could work on securing a long-term successor ahead of the summer transfer window but 120 days on, there has been little progress.

Meetings have reportedly been held with Scott Parker, Frank Lampard and Liam Rosenior but the latter is already thought to have turned down the role, joining Will Still in rejecting Sunderland. The ongoing search has frustrated supporters and Palmer believes the lack of clear direction could soon come into the players’ thinking if offers arrive from elsewhere.

“Sunderland have been linked with every man and his dog for their vacant manager’s job,” Palmer told Football League World. “Like I’ve said before, I’m repeating myself week in and week out. It must be very worrying for supporters that still, to this day, that they haven’t been able to secure the services of a head coach.

“Frank Lampard will obviously be desperate to get back into the game, but he won’t want to get in under the terms that Sunderland want the head coach to work under; not being able to bring your own staff, not being able to sign the players you want to sign. It’s alright having a mantra that you want to sign and develop young players, but also for a manager, you want to be successful - it’s getting that balance.

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“It’s a fantastic football club, Sunderland, it’s well supported, it’s got good young players, and I’m telling you now they’re in danger of losing their players. They’ve got players under contract for two or three years, but they’re in danger of losing their players in the summer, because they certainly won’t be renewing their contracts until they know who the head coach is going to be and if they’re going to be able to work with that said head coach.”

Hume is among a number of promising young players to have attracted interest from elsewhere, with Leeds one of several clubs thought to be eyeing a move for the defender. Premier League pair Aston Villa and Leicester City are also reportedly keen on the 22-year-old, along with Serie A outfit Napoli.

“I think I could play in the Premier League," Hume recently told the Belfast Telegraph. "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.”

Former Leeds academy graduate Jack Clarke is also on the radar of top clubs, having enjoyed his most productive season with 15 goals and four assists in 40 Championship appearances. Jobe Bellingham is another who could make the step up to the Premier League soon, with excitement over the midfielder somewhat replicating that of his brother, Jude, during the early years at Birmingham City.