OPINION: Five Signings To Strengthen Sunderland

Well, it's the summer which and only means one thing - the clubs we love and support start buying and selling to prepare for the new season. Thankfully, for Sunderland, it's another season of Premier League Football.

I don't envy the task of Lee Congerton and Dick Advocaat in the coming weeks as they try to identify the right calibre/quality of player we need. From what we hear, Ellis Short is willing to put his hand in his pocket to get some quality.

We know that Dick gave the club a list of targets before he left then came back, so he knows who he wants and where he wants to strengthen.

Personally, I think we need five players permanently and it would be foolish not to use our 2 domestic loans. Here are five players I'd like to see us sign, starting from back:

Sebastian Coates

I have to be honest first of all - I was probably one of his biggest critics, especially after that performance against Stoke in the Capital One Cup, but when he's been given his chance he's been pretty flawless.

He was thrown in because of injury in the warm up at St James Park, and since Advocaat came in he's had a run in the team and has looked the player people were raving about when he signed for Liverpool. Likely to be available for around the £3m mark, it's a no brainer!

Virgil van Dijk

Might seem a cop-out choice because of all the links to him for the last 12 months, but I'm a huge fan of his. He's the perfect age for a partner for O'Shea, commands his box and gets a few goals as well, which our defenders seem incapable of doing. If Celtic want Steven Fletcher we could use him to bring the price down for van Dijk, so could be the bargain of the summer.

Lewis Holtby

This is a player I've admired for years and, at only 24-years-old, he can only improve. It's totally baffling as to why Tottenham Hotspur let him go and loaned him to Fulham. He is an excellent passer of the ball, very positive and scores goals. Spurs will want him off the wage bill so could be available at a bargain price.

Also love the idea of Jordy Clasie but looks like he'll be off to Southampton.

Tom Ince

This is one that will probably surprise every one of you reading this, but bare with me. This is a lad with so much undoubted quality and hasn't been given a fair crack of the whip for me.

Signed by Hull last summer on a free and loaned out to Derby by Christmas, he went on and scored 11 goals in 18 appearances for the Rams from out wide. A natural finisher with pace not afraid to take on a full back, it looks he'll be signing for Derby permanently, but he's far too good for the Championship

Patrick Bamford

Now this was the hardest choice - the striker. He impressed immensely for MK Dons at the SOL in the Capital One Cup a couple of years ago and was named Championship player of the year at Middlesbrough last season after scoring a hat-full of goals.

His movement, especially for a lad of his age is second to none, and he made it look easy last season. Chelsea reportedly want £10m for him which I see as a stretch, but one of our domestic loans could be an option for Bamford. He'd fit right in to Advocaat's system as well.

Just to finish - the goalkeeping situation is interesting at the Stadium of Light. It seems Vito will be leaving for first team Football, meaning Jordan Pickford will be promoted to number two behind Costel Pantilimon. For me that's is a mistake and a hindrance to Pickford's development. I'd like to see an experienced number two brought in.

Let Kevin know what you think by tweeting him at @Kevsafc22.