Sunderland are weighing up sending young attacker Jewison Bennette out on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign, according to reports.

The teenager signed as a Costa Rican revelation from Herediano on a four-year deal last summer and hit the ground running, scoring in just his second match for the Black Cats in the Championship.

Unfortunately, this was to be Bennette’s only goal of the campaign for Sunderland in England’s second tier. The 19-year-old has gone on to make 15 appearances in the Championship, none coming this term.

Journalist Kevin Jimenez has issued an update on the Costa Rica international’s future, stating that Bennette could be heading out on loan this summer, adding that Sunderland will decide over the coming ‘hours/days’.

Furthermore, Jimenez is reporting that Bennette wants to play more first-team football, suggesting he is more than happy to move elsewhere before the transfer window slams shut.

Bennette needed?

Bennette can play as a number ‘9’ but is a versatile forward, capable of holding his own on the flanks too.

Sunderland have a lot of quality in the wide areas, but these players have become targets of suitors as the summer market draws to a close.

This past weekend, Patrick Roberts was linked with a return to Celtic, meanwhile, Jack Clarke has been a long-term target for Vincent Kompany at Burnley and currently has a £15 million price tag on his head.

Sunderland’s decision to allow Bennette to leave on loan will likely be influenced by whether or not Clarke or Roberts remain at the Stadium of Light past deadline day.

Writer’s View

Bennette is a gifted, young player but it just hasn’t clicked for him at Sunderland so far into his career, whether that be because of the pace and physicality of the Championship or simply that he’s not ready for the level yet.

Either way, keeping him around to sit on the bench will only hinder his development and so a loan move away, perhaps to a League One or League Two side, would be massively beneficial for his career.