Can Sunderland ensure Premier League survival with this massive transfer window?
A little over two months ago, Sunderland defeated Sheffield United in the Championship playoff final in dramatic fashion to gain promotion to the Premier League. And so, the Wearside club marked a return to top-flight football after an eight-year hiatus.
The Black Cats have already made headlines this summer with an ambitious transfer strategy, embarking on a significant spending spree to strengthen their squad ahead of the campaign, determined to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
But the looming question remains: will the new signings be enough for Sunderland to survive? After all, no promoted side in the past two seasons has managed to avoid the drop.
Let’s take a look at the players Sunderland have brought in, the players they’ve moved on, and their chances of top-flight survival.
Impact of incoming players
Simon Adingra | Signed from Brighton & Hove Albion
Simon Adingra could prove to be a top-class signing for Sunderland. He has arrived on a five-year deal for a reported fee of £21 million plus add-ons.
The former Brighton winger can provide explosive pace, creativity, and finishing from the left flank. For the price Sunderland have paid, it’s a steal in the modern-day transfer market, one that can really be a gamechanger. The Ivorian is also a versatile player who can operate on the right and through the middle.
Habib Diarra | Signed from Strasbourg
The highly-rated youngster helped Strasbourg with four goals and five assists in 30 Ligue 1 games last season. Sunderland beat fellow promoted club Leeds United to his signature.
Diarra could prove to be a very underrated signing for the Black Cats, as he can play in an attacking role as well as a deep-lying defensive role in midfield.
Enzo Le Fée | Loan move made permanent from Roma
Enzo Le Fée had joined Sunderland on loan from Roma in January this year with an obligation to buy if they got promoted to the Premier League. After winning the Championship playoff final, Sunderland triggered his clause; Le Fée became their first summer signing, arriving on a four-year contract with a reported transfer fee of £19.3 million paid to the Giallorossi.
Since arriving in January, Le Fée has played 18 games for Sunderland, scoring one goal and providing three assists. He is a technical midfielder, who controls the tempo of the game, possesses incisive passing range, and has incredible work rate both on and off the ball.
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris has shown great faith in him, and the club clearly believe that the player is going to be crucial for their survival in the top flight.
Noah Sadiki | Signed from Union Saint-Gilloise
The 20-year-old midfielder has joined Sunderland from Belgian club Union SG for £15 million on a five-year deal. He is a dynamic player who can play in both defence and midfield.
The 20-year-old DR Congo international helped Union SG win the Belgium Pro League title last season, contributing with a goal and five assists in 39 league games. Sadiki could also prove to be a shrewd signing for Sunderland, as he provides options in various positions.
Reinildo Mandava | Joined as a free agent
The 31-year-old Mozambique international brings a wealth of experience to the Sunderland backline. He is also a versatile player, who can play as a centre-back, left-fullback, or a left-sided midfielder.
Mandava isn’t a modern-day fullback capable of relentless attacking output, but he is solid at the back as well as great at tackles and interceptions. He will provide solidity, discipline, and leadership at the back to Sunderland.
Chemsdine Talbi | Signed from Club Brugge
Sunderland have signed young winger Chemsdine Talbi from Belgian side Club Brugge on a five-year deal for a reported initial fee of £18 million and potentially £2.5 million in add-ons.
Talbi had a great 2024/25 season, registering seven goals and five assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for the Blau-Zwart, including two goals and an assist in the Champions League. Though he can play on both wings, at Club Brugge he mainly played on the right.
Sunderland have made another good signing here, especially considering Talbi was wanted by big clubs across Europe. The Moroccan brings versatility, pace, and creativity, and will chip in with important goals.
Impact of outgoing players
Tommy Watson | Signed by Brighton & Hove Albion
19-year-old winger Tommy Watson has been signed by Brighton on a four-year deal for a reported fee of £10 million.
The young English winger scored two goals in 20 Championship games for Sunderland, including a goal in the Championship Play-offs. It’s safe to say that he won’t be missed much this season by the Stadium of Light faithful, as Sunderland have brought in decent wide options this window.
Jobe Bellingham | Signed by Borussia Dortmund
Sunderland’s star player from last season, Jobe Bellingham made a big-money switch to Borussia Dortmund this summer. In a club-record move for £27.8 million and with a 15% sell-on clause, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, rather than staying in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old was influential for the Black Cats last season and helped them get promoted to the top flight with four goals and three assists in 40 league matches. Beyond the stats, his influence lay in the way he could perform under pressure, link up play, and make his presence felt in the box with great movement.
Even though Sunderland received a record transfer fee for Jobe, they would have preferred to hold on to him, as he’s the kind of talent one cannot immediately replace — and they haven’t.
Nathan Bishop | Signed by Wimbledon
English goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has moved to League One side Wimbledon on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He played only two games for Sunderland and spent most of last season at Wycombe Wanderers and Cambridge United in the English third tier.
Bishop has finally returned to League One for good this season with the newly promoted Dons, whose first-choice keeper from last season, Owen Goodman, has returned to Crystal Palace.
Since Sunderland already have a decent first-choice operator in Anthony Patterson, backed up by two keepers in the reserves, Sunderland will feel confident in being able to make do without Bishop.
Adil Aouchiche | Loaned to Aberdeen
Talented attacking midfielder Adil Aouchiche has been loaned to Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen for the season, with the club also having the option to make his move permanent next summer.
So far, Aouchiche has made 38 appearances for Sunderland across all competitions since moving to the Stadium of Light in September 2023 from French side Lorient, registering two goals and four assists.
With Sunderland having already signed three midfielders so far, it doesn’t look like they’ll miss the Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate this season. A season out on loan could do a world of good for Aouchiche as he will get regular game time at Aberdeen.
What lies ahead for the Black Cats?
It’s impressive that Sunderland aren’t resting on their laurels and have already bolstered their squad with decent signings. Recent reports suggest more top-class additions are likely, with the Black Cats also interested in Bologna defender Jhon Lucumí and former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
While strengthening the squad is a crucial step toward competing in the Premier League, simply signing players isn’t enough. The top tier of English football is the most competitive league in the world, with even mid-table sides capable of spending vast sums in the transfer market. Matching that level of investment and quality is no easy task.
In recent years, the gap between the Premier League and the Championship has become increasingly evident; all three promoted teams were relegated in each of the past two seasons, which highlights just how challenging survival has become for the promoted sides.
Fortunately for Sunderland, there’s a clear recognition that reinforcements are needed to compete at this level. The club have made some astute signings, showing intent and planning. While much will depend on how rival teams perform and how Sunderland adapt tactically, their transfer activity so far suggests that they’re moving in the right direction.
If this upward momentum continues, top-flight survival could be within reach for the Black Cats.
