SUNDERLAND are adamant they will not suffer a financial loss if, as expected, Emanuele Giaccherini leaves the Stadium of Light on a permanent basis this summer.

The Black Cats will demand at least €7.5m for Giaccherini, who will enter the final year of his current contract in June, which is the same price they shelled out to sign him from Juventus in 2013.

Giaccherini failed to establish himself as a first-team regular on Wearside, but the 30-year-old has successfully resurrected his career in the last few months during a loan spell at Bologna.

The winger has scored six goals in 20 Serie A starts this season, with his form earning him a recall to the Italian national side. He started Italy’s 1-1 draw with Spain last week, playing at left wing-back, and is being touted as a live contender for a place in Antonio Conte’s squad at Euro 2016.

His form has alerted a number of clubs to his potential availability this summer, and there is little chance of him returning to Wearside for the final 12 months of his deal.

Bologna have already confirmed their desire to sign him permanently, while his former club, Juventus, and Lazio have also been linked with possible summer moves.

Most intriguingly of all, Chelsea have been mentioned as a possible destination, with Conte, who also managed his compatriot at Juventus, expected to take over at Stamford Bridge ahead of the start of next season.

Sunderland are willing to sell Giaccherini, but are adamant any deal will be on their terms, a situation that has been acknowledged by the midfielder’s agent, Furio Valcareggi.

“He will be going into the last year of his contract, and I think that makes it more affordable,” said Valcareggi. “But there will still need to be some negotiations with Sunderland. They do not have economic problems, and therefore do not give gifts.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland are confident Lamine Kone and Wahbi Khazri will both be available for Saturday’s home game with West Brom despite the duo being withdrawn from international duty last week.