Pundit reacts to Nazariy Rusyn transfer twist at Sunderland AFC | OneFootball

Nazariy Rusyn will be looking to become a key player for Sunderland over the course of the 2024/25 season.

That's according to Carlton Palmer, who believes the striker will be more settled at The Stadium of Light in the coming campaign.

Rusyn has endured a tough debut campaign after joining the Black Cats from Zorya Luhansk in his native Ukraine last summer.

As a result, there has already been speculation about the future of the 25-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, Palmer believes that the striker is capable of overcoming a tough start to life at Sunderland, to become an important figure for the club.

Carlton Palmer assesses Nazariy Rusyn's Sunderland prospects

Sunderland paid an undisclosed fee for the signing of Rusyn from Zorya on the final day of last summer's transfer window, with the striker moving after just a year with the Ukrainian club.

Following that move, the 25-year-old scored just two goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats.

That came amid a disappointing campaign for the club as a whole, in which they finished 16th in the Championship table, and got through three different managers in Tony Mowbray, Michael Beale and Mike Dodds.

As a result, recent reports had claimed that clubs in Ukraine, including newly promoted top-flight side Karpaty Lviv, are interested in signing Rusyn this summer.

However, subsequent reports have suggested that Sunderland are not interested in letting the striker go anytime soon, and that the player himself is keen to stay.

That is something that Palmer now seems to feel may be the best approach for all concerned to take.

When asked by Football League World if Rusyn can kick on if he does indeed at Sunderland for next season, the former England international said: "He endured a difficult first season. He's come to a new country, couldn't speak the language, new managers coming in, a different style of football.

"He missed the last nine games with a calf injury, but the player is said to be feeling at home with his family there now, his language has got a lot better as I said, so next season he'll be looking to kick-on and be a key factor in Sunderland's season next year."

As things stand, there are just over three years remaining on Rusyn's current contract with the Black Cats, securing his future at The Stadium of Light until the end of the 2026/27 season.

That of course, means Sunderland are in a good position to respond to any offers they might receive for the striker this summer.

Keeping Rusyn may be a smart move for Sunderland

Retaining the services of Rusyn over the course of the summer window could well be a sensible stance for Sunderland to take.

Mason Burstow was only on loan with the Black Cats from Chelsea this season, so letting the Ukrainian go as well would leave the club short on senior attacking firepower to lead the line.

Keeping Rusyn therefore ensures they do have an option to continue in that role right from the start of the summer, slightly easing the pressure on them in the transfer market.

Indeed, now that his situation appears to improving in England, and the fact that he now has a season in the Championship under his belt to know what is required of him, means he could be in a better position to make an impact next season.

Meanwhile, his contract situation also means that Sunderland are under no pressure to let him go anytime soon either.

So with that in mind, it seems to be a sensible plan for the Black Cats to keep Rusyn in their squad for the coming campaign.