Bournemouth stance on Chris Mepham future revealed as Sunderland eye summer deal, there’s good and bad news

Sunderland have unearthed a new fan favourite in Chris Mepham, who joined on loan from Bournemouth on deadline day last summer.

When Sunderland signed experienced Championship defender Chris Mepham on loan from Bournemouth last summer, it looked like a signing that would simply bolster the side.

He was brought in because of an injury to Dan Ballard, but pretty soon it became clear that Mepham not only bolstered the side, but massively improved it.

The Welshman has largely kept Ballard out of the XI with some really strong performances over the course of the campaign, having already featured 25 times in the Championship this season.

Last time out, Regis Le Bris dropped Mepham for Ballard as Sunderland beat Luton Town 2-0 at the Stadium of Light. Whether or not Mepham returns for Monday night’s showdown against Leeds United remains to be seen.

In the build up to the Leeds game, and in the run up to the summer, it’s been revealed that Sunderland want to sign Mepham permanently.

Bournemouth ready to let Sunderland ace Chris Mepham leave in the summer

Speaking recently, Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman dropped a huge hint that he wanted to explore a permanent deal for the 27-year-old Mepham in the summer. Speakman said: “I think that’s just a conversation we will pick up at the end of the season. From Chris’ perspective and from our perspective, and from Bournemouth’s perspective – that was always the plan.”

Now, Sunderland AFC News has caught up with transfer expert Graeme Bailey who’s revealed some key insight on Mepham’s future at Bournemouth, and there’s both good and bad news for the Black Cats.

The good news is that Bournemouth are ready to release him in the summer, despite reportedly having a one-year option on his deal. The bad news is that Sunderland aren’t the only Championship side interested.

Bailey said: “From what I understand, there isn’t currently any plans to keep him beyond this summer. He’s not in their plans long-term. Mepham will be leaving.

“Obviously, Sunderland like him but he had a lot of interest at the time [when he joined Sunderland on loan]. I wouldn’t rule out others, I’ve heard a few Championship teams like him. I don’t think it’s a given that he ends up at Sunderland.”

Kristjaan Speakman’s Chris Mepham quotes in full

Despite other Championship teams liking Mepham, Sunderland could have the first say on whether or not they sign him in the summer, as Mepham is clearly enjoying his football on Wearside and getting regular game time too.

Speakman is clearly a fan of his too. Mepham is not only a great asset on the pitch but off it as well, as Speakman explained: “I think Chris’ situation is slightly different to Wilson’s. Chris has had an unbelievable impact, I was going to say the team but it would be better to say the football club. Because of the way he carries himself around the training ground, how he is as part of our leadership team even as a loan player.

“It just echoes how important he is and has been. I think that’s just a conversation we will pick up at the end of the season. From Chris’ perspective and from our perspective, and from Bournemouth’s perspective – that was always the plan.”

Sunderland return to Championship action with a promotion crunch match away at Leeds United on Monday night.