Sunderland was one of several Premier League clubs to make an enquiry for Blackburn Rovers defender Tom Atcheson before the transfer deadline. According to TEAMtalk, Blackburn rebuffed this late interest, which also included approaches from Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Crystal Palace. The Championship club was reportedly determined to keep the 19-year-old Northern Ireland and England international and was not prepared to consider the offers. This stance came after the centre-back had signed a new contract, which did not deter top-flight clubs, including the previously interested Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, from assessing his development. Atcheson, who has two caps and one goal for Northern Ireland, joined Blackburn in July 2025 and has a current market value of €800k, according to Transfermarkt.