Sunderland have been credited with an interest in signing a £35m Premier League star this summer, after securing Europa League football.

Black Cats see off Chelsea to book place in Europa League

The Black Cats capped off an unbelievable first campaign back in the Premier League by booking their place in next season's Europa League, seeing off Chelsea in a 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light on the final day.

It was a nervy end to the game, with Cole Palmer halving the deficit, after a Trai Hume effort and Malo Gusto own-goal had put Regis Le Bris' side in a strong position, but they held their nerve to seal a return to Europe for the first time since 1974.

Le Bris hailed his side's achievement, saying: "I'm proud of the lads, proud of the atmosphere in the stadium, the connection we had once again today to create something special.

"We had to win, and I think we were really focused on the way we wanted to play this game, showed good control and scored when it was on, and finally the last part of the game was well managed with maturity."

After a well-earned break, the Frenchman will then turn his attentions to improving his squad, with greater strength in depth perhaps required now that Europa League football will be coming to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland plotting move for trophy-laden attacker

Speaking to Football Insider, former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has now credited Sunderland with an interest in Liverpool attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott, following the conclusion of his loan spell with Aston Villa.

Wyness said: “I don’t think Villa will get the benefit of the doubt. That bridge is burnt now and Elliott can shine. Some of the promoted clubs, possibly even Sunderland, is something I’ve been hearing as to where he might be going.

“We’ll see where that all ends up, but it’s been a very sad episode and one that should have been corrected in some way. There must have been a way for authorities to have given exceptions in cases like this and there’s got to be a change in the regulations if there isn’t.”

Wyness is referring to Elliott receiving very little game time at Villa, due to a clause meaning the deal would become permanent if he made a certain number of appearances.

It was essentially a wasted year for the 23-year-old, who made just five Premier League appearances, but he managed to catch the eye at times with Liverpool, picking up 15 goals and 21 assists in 149 matches.

Elliott, who has been lauded as "sensational" by journalist Josh Bunting, also won eight trophies with the Reds, alongside lifting the U21 European Championships twice with England, and he is exactly the calibre of player Kyril Louis-Dreyfus should be targeting ahead of a Europa League campaign.

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