Sunderland are working hard to improve their squad for the 2026/27 campaign
Sunderland's summer transfer business is picking up pace, with the club confirming the arrival of Thomas Meunier on Wednesday.
Here, we take a look at the work director of football Florent Ghisolfi still has to do and all the deals that could still be completed...
Outgoings
Though the focus understandably tends always to be on incomings during transfer windows, outgoings are a crucial part of the puzzle and particularly in the modern game where getting things right in the accounts is vital to being able to get it right on the pitch. Though Sunderland are in a good position to meet the Premier League and UEFA's financial rules next season and particularly after the bumper sale of Eliezer Mayenda, they still have the possibility to create more headroom.
The outgoings broadly fall into two categories, players who Sunderland can expect to command a good fee for and those who realistically need a new club to kickstart their career. In both cases, departures will significantly ease Sunderland's wage bill and that is vitally important moving forward. There is interest from multiple clubs in Simon Adingra, and that should help Sunderland recoup at least a significant chunk of the sum they paid Brighton last summer. Though that would mean there is no major SCR benefit to his departure, it would be a significant saving wage wise and a cash injection into the club. As an academy graduate, Anthony Patterson's sale would be a significant SCR boost and the player himself favours a permanent move this summer in order to settle somewhere and kick on again. The question is whether the Championship clubs interested can meet Sunderland's valuation, with no deal advanced at this stage.
Leo Hjelde and Jenson Seelt are back on Wearside for pre-season training but are also likely to be on the move this summer. Their sales could have a modest SCR benefit and with two years left on their current contract, it would make sense for Sunderland to do business now if a good move materialises that allows the two young defenders to go out and play regularly.
Ghisolfi is also working to resolve the futures of Luis Hemir, Alan Browne, Arthur Masuaku, Aji Alese and Abdoullah Ba. Due either to the player entering the last year of their deal or having struggled for regular football over the last 12 to 18 months, significant fees are unlikely. It's also not easy for interested clubs to meet the current salaries which in most cases have been raised since promotion, to Ghisolfi needs to get the balance right between ensuring the players get the moves they need while also protecting the club's position. Though the arrival of Meunier demonstrates that Sunderland are in a position to move on players regardless of outgoings, they are important in creating the room in which Sunderland can maximise their budget for next season's first team squad.
Some other departures are possible, if not at this stage as inevitable. Ahmed Abdullahi is expected to leave on loan, though a permanent departure is possible if the right bid comes in.
Romaine Mundle could also depart, having entered the last two years of his contract with no sign of an extension. Mundle is fit again and has a chance to make a big impact in pre season, but competition for places on the left flank next season is going to be fierce. With interest from the continent, the player might decide it's a good time for a new chapter and having signed him for a relatively modest fee from Standard de Liège, his departure would have strong SCR benefits.
Wilson Isidor's situation is a little more complicated. Like Mundle, he has two years left on his deal and so this summer would be Sunderland's best chance of making a strong sale from an SCR perspective. However, at this stage he remains a vital part of Le Bris's squad and would not be easy to replace particularly following Mayenda's departure.
Incomings
Meunier's arrival adds the depth Sunderland were looking for at full back, as well as additional experience and leadership to a young squad. It most likely means an end to the club's pursuit of Lutsharel Geertruida on a permanent basis, but the Black Cats remain active in looking to strengthen their squad in a number of other positions.
Though Ghisolfi and Le Bris have been clear that the club want quality rather than quantity this summer, we can say with a good deal of confidence that at least three more signings are possible this summer. Sunderland need a natural right winger following the departure of Bertrand Traoré, with AS Roma's Matías Soulé one of the potential options. Le Bris has a number of players who can play in that position, but at this stage doesn't really have a specialist and more firepower is clearly needed for the long season ahead.
More defensive reinforcements are also on the agenda, particularly on the left side. Dennis Cirkin's departure means Reinildo is the only specialist left back in the squad, even if Trai Hume is very comfortable playing there and has done so on a number of occasions. Having been unable to land number one target Jhon Lucumí last summer, Sunderland are still looking to add another left-sided centre back to their squad. Leeds United have moved decisively to land potential target Tarik Muharemović from Serie A side Sassuolo, with the Black Cats now moving on to other targets.
Further reinforcements in the final third are still possible and particularly if there are more departures, but there won't be anything like the influx of players we saw last summer.
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