Sunderland are in an unusual position in the transfer market this summer.

The club's future hangs in the balance with Lee Johnson's side currently in the play-off mix to secure promotion to the Championship.

Should the club succeed then they'll be pitting their wits against a better caliber of opponent next tern, but if they fall short then they'll be preparing for a fourth season in the third tier.

While selling players may usually be an approach for raising transfer funds, the club face the dilemma of having a large chunk of their players out of contract - meaning that selling players on won't be much of an option.

There's a lot of value tied up those Sunderland players, but based on performances who are the club's top 10 most valuable assets?

FLW takes a look and deliver our verdict...

It's been a mixed season for the striker but he still makes it into our top 10.

Aiden O'Brien arrived at the Stadium Of Light last summer after leaving Millwall and looked like a player who could really take League One by storm.

Unfortunately that hasn't quite happened with the attacker scoring just six times in all competitions.

While that tally is far from prolific, the 27-year-old is still a valuable asset for Lee Johnson's side given the position that he plays and the fact that he has crucial experience at Championship level.

If he sticks around next term then I'd certainly be backing him to make a bigger impact.

The midfielder moved to Sunderland in January 2020 and made a slow start to life on Wearside.

That said, Josh Scowen is certainly regarded as a key player for Lee Johnson now.

The 28-year-old midfielder has made an impressive 43 appearances so far this season for Sunderland, scoring three goals and creating four more from his deep-lying midfield role.

Scowen is a vital cog in the side, and given his experience at Championship level with Barnsley and QPR there's no doubt that he's seen as a big asset in the EFL.

If Sunderland were to sell then I'm sure they'd be holding out for a decent fee given his important to the team.

A player who is among the club's most talented young players.

Denver Hume has real experience for a player of just 22 years of age, making 75 appearances for Sunderland since his senior debut for the club.

Not only that, but the full-back has three goals and an impressive 10 assists to his name.

Hume is regarded as one of the club's best left-backs and so as far as market value is concerned there's a case to suggest that he would be near the top of the list.

If he can retain his spot in the side then there's no doubt that he's a player who could become a solid Championship performer in the future.

Another player with an incredibly bright future ahead of him.

Jack Diamond is a product of the youth set-up and really came to prominence during a loan spell with Harrogate Town last season as he helped them to secure promotion from the National League.

This term, the winger has really kicked on and established himself as an exciting option for Lee Johnson.

The 21-year-old has stepped up to life in the EFL this term and made 31 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring two goals and creating four more in his usual role as an impact sub.

Next season will be massive for Diamond and it'll be then that he'll need to go from talented starlet to reliable first team player.

A player who is a real fans' favourite at the Stadium Of Light.

Lynden Gooch is another product of the youth set-up, however he has since gone on to very much establish himself as a core player for the first team.

The attacking midfielder has made an impressive 165 appearances for Sunderland, scoring 23 goals and creating another 29.

At 25 years of age he's really stepped up this term and has 18 goal involvements to his name as he helped the club to victory in the Papa John's Trophy and also helping the club to the play-offs.

There's no doubt as to his value and, to be fair, he could probably be higher up on our list.

Into our top five and we have one of Sunderland's most experienced defenders.

Bailey Wright joined the club on an initial loan deal from Bristol City in January 2020 but has really established himself since turning his move permanent last summer.

While injuries have been a slight issue this term, the 28-year-old has still made 38 appearances for the club in all competition and established himself as a stalwart in defence.

If Sunderland were to go up then there's no doubt that Wright would keep his spot in defence and it's that Championship experience which surely makes him one of the most valuable players in Lee Johnson's squad.

The beating heart of this Sunderland side.

Max Power moved to the Stadium Of Light almost three years ago and since then his influence on the side has grown almost week by week.

The central midfielder is a virtual ever-present in Lee Johnson's starting XI with his versatility proving to be a massive asset this season in particular after slotting in at right-back on a regular basis.

At 27 years of age it's only now that Power is reaching his prime years and that's great news for Sunderland.

If Johnson's side are to succeed in the coming years then keeping the midfielder will be massive.

A player who looked like he was set to drift out of the club with barely a goodbye.

Aiden McGeady is undoubtedly the most talented player in the Sunderland squad but looked like he played his last game for the club until Lee Johnson took charge in early December.

Since then the winger has been a massive reason why Sunderland qualified for the play-offs.

In 33 appearances this term, McGeady has scored six goals and created a very impressive 15 more for his teammates, making him one of League One's most creative assets.

He may be 35 years of age but there's no doubt that a lot of clubs would pay good money to sign a player of his talent.

Sunderland fans would be absolutely gutted if Luke O'Nien left the club.

The versatile star moved to Wearside in the summer of 2018 after the Wearsiders suffered relegation to League One and since then he's arguably been their most consistent performer.

A player who can play in just about every position in defence and midfield, O'Nien has made 42 appearances for the club this season and will no doubt continue to be part of their plans for a while yet.

At 26 he's just approaching his prime years and the feeling is that he's someone who could make the step up to the Championship if Sunderland were promoted, hence why he's made it to number two in our list.

How can it be anybody else based on this season?

Goalscorers are the most valuable assets in football and Charlie Wyke has proven this season that he's very much capable of taking the role of Sunderland's main man.

The 28-year-old has played a ridiculous amount of games after playing 51 times for the club so far, scoring 30 goals in the process for the Wearsiders.

Lee Johnson will be praying that he can continue that goal trail into the play-offs as he's certainly a player who can guide them to glory.

If it wasn't for his contract situation then I'm adamant that Sunderland would have been attracting offers in excess of £5million for the player as clubs in the Championship look for a proven goal-getter from League One.