Defender blanked by Michael Beale lays out Aston Villa and Leeds United transfer stance

Aston Villa linked defender Trai Hume insists he is happy to stay at Sunderland next season.

Hume was originally connected with Villa by the Belfast Telegraph, who also suggested Napoli, Bournemouth, Leicester and Leeds are considering a move for the 22-year-old.

The full back, who can operate on the right or the left, played every one of Sunderland’s Championship games last season, starting 45, his second full campaign at the Stadium of Light.

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His commitment to the Sunderland cause have made him a favourite with the club’s supporters – and also won admirers further up the pyramid. However, he told the Telegraph : “I think I could play in the Premier League. You have to keep yourself at a high standard and you want to push yourself as much as you can.

“That’s the level I want to get to but I’m happy enough at Sunderland and happy where I’m at and I’m really enjoying my football. If a move happens, it happens and if doesn’t I’m happy to play for Sunderland.”

The Northern Ireland international is said to have a sell-on clause in the deal he signed when he joined the Black Cats from Linfield in 2022, entitling his first club to 15 per cent of any transfer.

Ballymena-born Hume has also made the breakthrough at international level and has six caps for his country but is playing down the speculation. “I try not to think about it. I let my agent deal with all that stuff and until they come to Sunderland and offer money I don’t pay too much attention to it.

“I played in every single game last season so that’s a positive and I think I did well throughout but we didn’t finish where we wanted to finish and stay high up the table. Coming in this season we’ll have a new manager and hopefully we can get ourselves where we want to be.”

Hume was thrust into the headlines in February when he was substituted by Michael Beale towards the end of Sunderland's 2-1 loss to Birmingham City. Hume reached out to shake his manager's hand but Beale blanked him and was forced to issue an apology after intense criticism from the club's fans.

Villa are thought to be considering their options at left back, with reports linking Alex Moreno with a return to Spain. On the right Matty Cash is also thought to be interesting AC Milan.

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