With promotion secured back to the Championship this season, Sunderland will no doubt be looking to further bolster their squad heading into this summers transfer window.
Remaining in the second flight will be the immediate aim with a number of Premier League free agents perhaps an avenue the Black Cats could look into.
Pulling on key experience, mixed with some of the club's remaining crop including Lynden Gooch and Luke O'Nien, Alex Neil must balance the squad correctly.
READ MORE: Keeping Ross Stewart 'critical' for Sunderland this summer, says Kevin Phillips
Here, ChronicleLive have outlined five potential free agents that Sunderland could look to bring in given their experience and know-how heading into next season.
Roman Saiss
Top of the list to begin would be Wolves defender Roman Saiss. At 32, there is still plenty of football left in the Moroccan centre back and the player would certainly bring a wealth of experience to the Black Cats back line.
At 6ft 2', Saiss is said to be attracting interest from Turkish club Besiktas with it still seemingly up in the air as to where his immediate footballing future lays. Starting 31 of the Midlands side's Premier League games last season, it would be a shrewd signing to say the very least.
Ryan Fredericks
West Ham full back Ryan Fredericks is another who is set to depart from his current deal this summer, and at 29, would again bring plenty of experience. Playing second best to Vladimír Coufal for most of the season, the former Fulham has had to settle for bit part cameo's.
But now available on a free, Sunderland could look to bring in a player that could well fit into the Black Cats attack minded three at the back system at present. Wages could be a particular sticking point, with Fredericks also said to be of interest for Fulham and Southampton too.
Ben Woodburn
Ben Woodburn will later this month depart his boyhood club from whom he has been associated with since the age of seven. Now 23, the midfielder has endured loan spells with Sheffield United, Oxford United, Blackpool and more recently with SPL side Hearts.
With Robbie Neilson's side declaring their non-interest in the player, Woodburn did hit three goals during his spell at Tynecastle Park, with the former Reds man still plenty left to give. Able to play anywhere across the front line or in midfielder, he could provide a useful option to look into.
Jonjoe Kenny
Set to be released by his boyhood club too, Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny could bring a different option should Sunderland look into the 25-year-old. Only starting 11 times for the Toffee's in the Premier League this season, much has been made at to where the players next step could be.
Said to have turned down an extension, the Black Cats project could be an attractive proposition for someone like Kenny who will be keen to nail down first time football at this stage of his career.
Ben Mee
With over 300 Premier League games under his belt, Burnley defender Ben Mee is heading for a new chapter and will later this month end his 10 year stay with the Clarets. At 32, this would be a fantastic coup for a whole host of clubs.
With Sean Dyche dismissed, Burnley's season paid the price with fellow defender James Tarkowski also calling time on his stay at Turf Moor too. Wages again could be a testing issue for Sunderland but Mee's know how would guarantee a strong back line for sure.
