Sunderland owner Stewart Donald has revealed that Sunderland held onto three key players over the summer despite receiving offers from clubs higher up.

Speaking on the Roker Rapport podcast, he stated that the club received bids for Aiden McGeady, Luke O'Nien and Jon McLaughlin, but held firm and refused to sell - therefore contradicting accusations from some that they are a 'selling club'.

The Black Cats lost skipper George Honeyman to Hull and Reece James to Doncaster over the summer, but have retained the majority of the squad which finished fifth in League One last season.

It has emerged that Luton were the team to make an offer for O'Nien, with the 24-year-old a target of the Hatters to replace Jack Stacey, who departed for Bournemouth in July.

The details of the bid are still unknown but with just a year remaining on his contract it is a bold move for Sunderland to make. However, Donald suggested that all transfer matters are discussed with management, so O'Nien was kept due to his importance to the team.

The Verdict

It is reassuring to the fans and the management that the club is determined to retain its best players, as the exit of Josh Maja and Honeyman was a great disappointment for some.

Sunderland need to improve on their squad from last season and it appears they have done so, with Marc McNulty already appearing to have improved an attack which was lacklustre at times last season.

O'Nien has started the season well and his versatility should come in handy over the course of the season, so it is important Donald seeks to renew his contract, rather than letting him leave in January or at the end of the season.