Football
Exclusive: Chris Mepham Keen on Permanent Sunderland Switch After Playing Key Role in Promotion
Premier League-bound Sunderland are eager to sign Bournemouth loanee Chris Mepham on a permanent deal after his successful loan spell. The experienced Wales international impressed in Sunderland's promotion-winning campaign and is keen to continue his career with the Black Cats despite potential obstacles.
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Premier League-bound Sunderland are ready to offer Bournemouth loan star Chris Mepham a permanent contract after a sublime promotion-winning campaign with the club, SportsBoom can exclusively revealed.
Experienced Wales international Mepham, 27, enjoyed a memorable season-long loan spell with the Black Cats last term, one which culminated in the club’s return to the top flight for the first time in eight years.
And having been a key player in the Wearside club’s promotion, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris is hoping to sign Mepham on a free transfer when his current contract expires on 30th June.
Mepham, capped 48 times by his country, played 40 times for the Black Cats last season and impressed at the heart of the club’s solid defence.
And the former Chelsea academy graduate gave an assured performance in last season’s Championship Play-off final as the Black Cats stunned Sheffield United with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Wembley.
SportsBoom understands Mepham enjoyed his time at the Stadium of Light so much he is eager to make his stay permanent.
Mepham signed for Bournemouth in a £12million deal in January 2019 and has spent six seasons at the Vitality Stadium.
PECKING ORDER
However, having been a regular first-team starter in previous years, he dropped down the pecking order after a bad knee injury limited his opportunities.
And when a loan move to Sunderland was offered the defender jumped at the chance to get his career back on track with regular playing time.
He famously won promotion to the Premier League with the Cherries in the 2021-22 campaign and, his success last season with the Black Cats, was his second promotion on his CV.
The former Brentford man has also enjoyed a nine-year international career for his country and represented Wales at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 and also at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The only stumbling block could be if the Cherries activate an option to extend Mepham’s stay with an additional year option built into his current deal.
But SportsBoom understands Sunderland is the player’s first choice and that he would love to try and help them achieve success back in the Premier League.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.