After Tommy Doyle, £10m Wolves player could also now be a target for Sunderland

There has been an exodus at Wolves so far this summer – and another fringe player could possibly be on his way out of the club.

Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri have both been sold already to Manchester United and Manchester City respectively.

But more players are expected to depart in the coming weeks, as Vitor Pereira’s squad takes shape ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Another player who is probably going to be leaving Molineux is Tommy Doyle, who really struggled for minutes last term – especially when Pereira succeeded Gary O’Neil.

Sunderland are among the clubs interested in Doyle, as they seek to bolster their squad following their promotion to the Premier League.

But the Black Cats are also being tipped as a destination for one of Doyle’s teammates.

Sunderland could be an option for Sam Johnstone

Sam Johnstone’s move to Wolves has been a disaster, following his £10 million (BBC Sport) switch from Crystal Palace last summer.

Sam Johnstone was signed on the watch of O’Neil, and it was hoped that he would be an upgrade on Jose Sa.

But Johnstone failed to impress, and actually ended up losing his place in the starting XI after only a couple of months.

And since Pereira came to Wolves, Sa has been the clear number one.

Now, Alan Nixon has reported via his Patreon Johnstone could be a target for Sunderland – who have also been linked with Gary O’Neil – moving forward, with the player keen to leave Molineux.

The suggestion is made as former Wolves goalkeeper Neil Cutler is set to join them, with Johnstone one of his previous pupils. Potentially, he may recommend him to Black Cats officials.

Johnstone is keen to leave Wolves, who were claimed to be prioritising a goalkeeper this summer.

• READ MORE: Who is Sam Johnstone? – Everything there is to know about Wolves’ backup goalkeeper

Wolves should try to sell Johnstone

It is hard to make a case for Wolves to keep Johnstone given how the 2024/25 season went.

Unfortunately, he did not take his chances when called upon and failed to establish himself as an upgrade on Sa.

Given the amount of money he cost and the likelihood he will be on ‘regular starter’ wages, Wolves must endeavour to offload Johnstone in this window, if Sa is going to stay.

There have been no suggestions Sa will leave, so there’s no reason to keep Johnstone around.

To have two number ones is probably unwise in the long run, and Wolves ought to hear what Sunderland, or any other club, would be willing to offer.