Sunderland's squad was transformed by a successful summer transfer window - but who are their highest valued players?
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has surpassed all expectations and Regis Le Bris and his players will return from the international break looking to secure European football for only the second time in the club’s history.
After going into the campaign with serious momentum caused by their Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United and an overwhelmingly successful summer transfer window, the tone was set by an impressive opening day win against West Ham United as Eliezer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor and Dan Ballard all found the net at a sold-out Stadium of Light.
The impressive results continued throughout the season as Le Bris’ men racked up wins against the likes of Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth, as well as battling their way to draws against Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. Of course, perhaps the most memorable achievement of the season so far has come with a league double over North East rivals Newcastle United as a Nick Woltemade own goal gave Sunderland a narrow win at the Stadium of Light in December before Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey helped the Black Cats come from a goal down to earn a 2-1 win on Tyneside earlier this month.
There are still seven games remaining as Sunderland look to push for a top seven finish that would secure a European place for the first and only time since 1973 - but there are some serious challenges lying in wait. Sunderland will travel to Aston Villa, Wolves and Everton as well as hosting Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Chelsea during the final weeks of the season.
Le Bris will lean on his most valuable players as they look to round off a memorable campaign - but who are Sunderland’s highest valued players and how does the Black Cats squad value compare to their Premier League rivals?
Who are Sunderland’s top ten highest valued players?
Habib Diarra's penalty proved the winner at Elland Road.placeholder image
Habib Diarra's penalty proved the winner at Elland Road. | AFP via Getty Images
€32.00m - Habib Diarra €30.00m - Noah Sadiki €25.00m - Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi, Chris Rigg €22.00m - Trai Hume €20.00m - Lutsharel Geertruida, Dan Ballard €18.00m - Nordi Mukiele
Premier League squad values
1. Manchester City - €1.31bn 2. Arsenal - €1.23bn 3. Chelsea - €1.16bn 4. Liverpool - €1.02bn 5. Tottenham Hotspur - €802.50m 6. Manchester United - €754.15m 7. Newcastle United - €708.25m 8. Nottingham Forest - €568.00m 9. Aston Villa - €547.50m 10. Crystal Palace - €541.30m 11. Bournemouth - €507.10m 12. Brighton - €494.00m 13. Brentford - €470.40m 14. Everton - €450.45m 15. Fulham - €386.95m 16. Sunderland - €381.95m 17. West Ham - €362.65m 18. Leeds United - €346.03m 19. Wolves - €277.10m 20. Burnley - €252.65m
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