---
title: "Sunderland: Black Cats eye Stephen O’Donnell swoop"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-black-cats-eye-stephen-odonnell-swoop/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sean Clifford"
section: "Sunderland News"
published: "2021-07-29T18:15:11Z"
modified: "2021-07-29T18:15:11Z"
---

# Sunderland: Black Cats eye Stephen O’Donnell swoop

**Sunderland are interested in a swoop for Motherwell right-back Stephen O’Donnell, as reported by [Football League World](https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-sunderland-eyeing-transfer-move-for-international-player-in-sub-1m-move/).**

### The Lowdown: Sunderland gearing up

Progressing towards what is a critical campaign for the Black Cats, boss Lee Johnson will be under no illusions that he has to find a way to lift Sunderland out of Sky Bet League One this time around.

Making moves from a recruitment standpoint, the North East giants have completed deals for four arrivals in the form of Alex Pritchard, Jacob Carney, Corry Evans and Callum Doyle \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/afc-sunderland/transfers/verein/289)\].

Now, they look set for another transfer pursuit owing to recent developments.

\[freshpress-poll id=”368071″\]

### The Latest: Sunderland interested in O’Donnell swoop

Looking to bring in a right-back, Sunderland are confident they can strike a deal for 29-year-old O’Donnell for less than £500,000 \[[Football League World](https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-sunderland-eyeing-transfer-move-for-international-player-in-sub-1m-move/)\].

He is contracted to the Fir Park side until 2023, and would be a considerable coup for Johnson’s promotion chasers should a deal come to fruition.

O’Donnell has been a regular for the Scotland international team, earning rave reviews for his man of the match performance at EURO 2020 against England at Wembley \[[Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/stephen-odonnell-thanks-andy-robertson-24354044)\].

\[freshpress-quiz id=”306218″\]

### The Verdict: O’Donnell would be an astute signing for the Black Cats

Bringing experience and quality to the table, the Bellshill-born full-back would be an excellent piece of business for Sunderland.

In 2020/21, he impressed for the Steelmen, registering eight goal contributions in 41 fixtures; three goals and five assists \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stephen-odonnell/leistungsdaten/spieler/186337/plus/0?saison=2020)\].

Furthermore, he showed his defensive prowess across the year, successfully winning 2.2 aerial duels on average per game \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/107008/History/Stephen-O-Donnell)\].

Once labelled as ‘exceptional’ by Scotland manager Steve Clarke, the Black Cats should look to sign him up as a matter of priority \[[The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7279084/odonnell-gilmour-england-scotland-clarke/)\].

***In other news, Sunderland fans have slammed one of their players after a [poor performance](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/sunderland-black-cats-will-grigg-prenton-park-tranmere-rovers-lee-johnson-stadium-of-light/).***