The Black Cats have been very active in the transfer window so far
Habib Diarra of Sunderland
Sunderland spent £30m on Habib Diarra
Sunderland’s summer spending has been branded as ‘transfer madness’ by leading German publication Sport Bild.
The Black Cats have been clear about their intention to make sure their Premier League stay is not a short one by racing into the transfer market to strengthen their squad with a host of new signings – notably none of them having played in the Premier League.
They spent a club record £30m to sign Habib Diarra from Strasbourg, while another £21m has been spent on Brighton & Hove Albion’s Simon Adingra.
Promotion meant Enzo Le Fee’s loan was turned into a permanent move at a cost of £20m and Noah Sadiki landed from Belgian champions Union SG on a £15m deal.
Chemsdine Talbi has been signed from Club Brugge for a further £17m, though the experienced Reinildo Mandava landed on a free transfer.
The spending has been noticed by German magazine Sport Bild remarking upon the ‘transfer madness’ taking place at the Stadium of Light, with the headline: “Transfer madness at Premier League newcomers.”
Sport Bild also wrote: “After the spectacular promotion to the Premier League, Sunderland is really making a splash in the transfer market.”
It’s been a busy transfer period so far with too significant departures too, with Jobe Bellingham moving to Borussia Dortmund while Tommy Watson, the hero of Wembley, heading to Brighton in a pre-arranged move.
The Wearsiders show no sign of slowing down their spending as they bid to back head coach Regis Le Bris to make sure he has a fighting chance to keep the club in the Premier League.
Despite the transfer outlay, Sunderland remain the bookmakers’ favourites to be relegated this season, with odds as low as 1.33.
Burnley and Leeds are the next two in the odds in a sign of just how difficult it has proven to be of late for promoted sides to survive – with all three promoted clubs having been relegated back to the Championship in the last two Premier League seasons.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest SAFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.