Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris and midfielder Jobe Bellingham
(Credit: Getty Images / Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 30 May 2025 10:25, UK
Chris Rigg and Dan Neil have been backed to remain at Sunderland following their promotion to the Premier League despite plenty of interest.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about a busy transfer window at the Stadium of Light.
A number of young talents in the squad, including Rigg and Neil, are open to remaining at Sunderland to continue their development in the Premier League.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 May that Jobe Bellingham has verbally agreed to join Dortmund after holding talks with multiple clubs.
Bellingham’s departure is set to provide a boost to Regis Le Bris‘ transfer kitty and further enhance their chances of keeping their other key players at the club.
Instead, they will be allowed to stay and build stronger reputations with top-level football under their belts which will boost their price tags for potential future sales.
Jobe Bellingham Sunderland
Jobe Bellingham looks set to leave Sunderland. (Credit Imago)
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Sunderland eye big-spending summer after Bellingham exit
Football Insider revealed on 29 May that Sunderland will make “big” funds available for a potential overhaul of their squad when the window opens.
Bellingham’s sale is expected to add around £25-30million to that kitty, as the Black Cats eye major improvements to strengthen their chances of staying up.
O’Rourke explained that Sunderland will have to spend big and be clever in their recruitment to give themselves the best chance.
“*They’re going to need quality reinforcements, there’s no doubt about that,*” he told Football Insider.
“The last six teams to come up have gone straight back down to the Championship, so investment and recruitment will need to be very wise.
“Money will be made available from the owner for Regis Le Bris to try to improve the team.
“The only way they can close the gap is by spending big and spending wisely.
“This season, they will be able to spend big.
“They’ve been smart in the market signing players from France and other league without spending massive amount of money so they will have room to spend.
“If Jobe Bellingham goes, which now look inevitable after travelling to Germany for talks, it will boost their transfer kitty again.
“He’s not going to be cheap, it will be around £25-30million.
“So if Bellingham was to go, it improves their chances of keeping Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and others.
“I think the players themselves will be open to staying at Sunderland now that they have Premier League football to offer, and that will do them no harm.
“It’ll only improve them as players and raise their profiles as well.
“They’ll give them a go in the Premier League and maybe enhance their price tags in the future.”
Regis Le Bris Sunderland
Regis Le Bris is set for a busy transfer window at Sunderland. (Credit: Imago)
Wyness explains truth about £200m Premier League windfall
Following their return to the Premier League via their playoff victory against Sheffield United, reports have claimed they are set to bank £200million.
However, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Sunderland will receive closer to £150million if they don’t include parachute payments.
That will include the additional sponsorship, broadcast revenues and extra boosts that come with playing at the top level of English football.
Much of that is expected to be put towards backing the manager, as they continue to prepare for a busy transfer window in the North East.
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