Burnley join Leicester City, Leeds United in race for Sunderland's Trai Hume?

The 21-year-old joined the Black Cats from Linfield in January 2022 - a time in which the North-East giants were still plying their trade in League One.

Since then, Hume has helped Sunderland return to the Championship after a five-year absence and has nailed down a starting spot on the right side of defence, featuring in all of his side's opening 19 league matches.

The right-back is also becoming an increasingly important cog on the international stage, earning 10 caps for Northern Ireland after making his senior debut in March 2022.

According to TEAMtalk, Burnley are admirers of Sunderland's Hume ahead of the January transfer window, with Leicester and Leeds United of the second tier also keen.

The Clarets have struggled defensively on their return to the Premier League - shipping 32 goals in just 14 matches - but they did manage to keep a first clean sheet of the term in the 5-0 mauling of Sheffield United on Saturday.

Much of Vincent Kompany's late dealings during the summer window revolved around the failings to sign a left-back, with Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen deciding against a last-minute switch to Turf Moor.

Vitinho and Welshman Connor Roberts have shared playing time on the right side of the backline so far this campaign, meaning Hume would face competition to cement his place in the XI.

However, the Northern Ireland international can play anywhere across the defence, having featured at left-back and centre-back for Sunderland in the opening months of this season under Tony Mowbray.

The report claims that the Black Cats are willing to sell Hume in the New Year for a profit, considering that they managed to secure his services for only £200,000 from Linfield at the start of last year.

It is also believed that Leicester and Leeds are closely monitoring the right-back, with both sides plotting an immediate return to the Premier League after relegation in May.

Daniel Farke's Whites have Luke Ayling and Djed Spence as capable right-sided options for their defence, however youngster Archie Gray has been featuring in a full-back role in recent weeks.

Ricardo Pereira is a high-profile name who stayed put at the King Power Stadium despite the Foxes' shock demotion to the second tier, with the Portuguese being an almost ever-present for Enzo Maresca at right-back.

Following the sacking of Mowbray on Monday afternoon, Hume and his Sunderland teammates are likely to be managerless when West Bromwich Albion visit the Stadium of Light at Saturday lunchtime.