Sunderland summer transfer window 2025: Top targets, budget, most likely signings and priority positions

Sunderland are finally back in the Premier League after a difficult eight-year absence, and they are one of the most active clubs in the transfer market as they prepare for 2025-26.

The Black Cats were in dire form at the end of the regular season in the second tier, and seeing their team lose their last five fixtures had fans bracing for yet another disappointment.

However, Regis Le Bris's side just about made it into the top flight by way of a dramatic Championship playoff final against Sheffield United, a match that featured two late goals and a last-gasp winner from Tommy Watson.

The return of the Tyne-Wear derby will be a standout moment in the division's calendar this season, and the Stadium of Light is sure to relish hosting such a fiery league clash once again.

That being said, the promoted club will not be content with merely visiting the top flight, and will be desperate to re-establish themselves as a Premier League regular, so expect to see more incomings before the window closes.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at Sunderland's transfer plans, including their top targets, budget and their most likely signings.

Top targets

Given the lack of Premier League experience in their current first-team squad, Sunderland had reportedly been considering a move for former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, but the ex-Black Cats player agreed to join Brentford on a free transfer.

With midfield experience in mind, former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light, and securing the Bayer Leverkusen man's signature would be seen as a coup.

In the backline, Chris Mepham could return to Sunderland after a successful loan spell from Bournemouth during the 2024–25 season, though Le Bris’s side may face competition from Sheffield United, who are also reportedly interested in the centre-half.

Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell has also been mentioned as a potential target after he impressed during England's triumph at the Under-21 Euros, while the Black Cats remain in the market for a goalkeeper after missing out on Djordje Petrovic Marcin Bulka.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Sunderland are reportedly showing an interest in Georgia international Georges Mikautadze, who scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 competitive matches last season for Lyon.

Budgets

As shown by a number of promoted sides over the years, spending big during the summer transfer window does not guarantee a relegation-free campaign in the Premier League, and Sunderland need to be shrewd and ambitious in equal measure as they prepare for 2025-26.

After pocketing north of £200m courtesy of their playoff triumph at Wembley in late May, the Black Cats have already reached the £100m mark on incomings this summer, hoping to add top-flight ability and experience to the squad ahead of the big kickoff in August.

Rarely splashing out on signings since relegation from the Premier League in 2017, the North-East club are in a better position with Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) than their fellow newly-promoted sides, giving Le Bris's men a key advantage over Leeds United and Burnley.

Sunderland have certainly made use of those factors, spending a considerable sum on the additions of Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi and Noah Sadiki, while Reinildo Mandava is also taking up some of their wage budget after joining on a free transfer.

Most likely signings

A shock arrival at the Stadium of Light at the start of 2025, Le Fee's permanent move to Sunderland was confirmed after the club's promotion to the Premier League, representing a positive start to a window in which the North-East side are proving to be extremely active.

The Black Cats are on the hunt for more additions in the centre ofd the park after bolstering their midfield options with the signings of Diarra and Sadiki, with Xhaka on the shortlist.

Reinildo became Sunderland's first defensive addition after signing a two-year deal following his exit from Atletico Madrid upon the expiration of his contract, and there have been reports suggesting that Cresswell could be lined up as the second.

Priority positions

Sunderland have acted swiftly to replace Jobe Bellingham, who joined Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth over £30 million, following a similar path to his older brother, Jude.

Bellingham made 43 appearances last season, but the club will hope that Diarra, Sadiki and Le Fee can provide some stability in midfield during what is likely to be a tough campaign.

Elsewhere, winger Watson had already finalized a £10 million move to Brighton & Hove Albion before scoring his memorable playoff winner, and given Ian Poveda’s ongoing fitness struggles and uncertainty surrounding the readiness of Patrick Roberts and Eliezer Mayenda for top-tier football, Sunderland also prioritized strengthening their options out wide.

The arrivals of Adingra and Talbi have helped shore up the flanks, allowing the club to now focus on reinforcing the defence and goalkeeper positions.

Written by
Carter White