Kieran Maguire reveals Sunderland financial position going into summer transfer window
Sunderland are in unfamiliar waters as they prepare to spend in the summer transfer window.
Previous seasons have seen the Black Cats expend carefully, which is a stark change from their previous Premier League years.
That is largely thanks to the model implemented by owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and director of football Kristjaan Speakman.
However, that model is going to change now that Sunderland are a Premier League club, and finance guru Kieran Maguire explains why.
Kieran Maguire outlines Black Cats financial power
High praise must be afforded to the Sunderland hierarchy, who have strengthened year on year for next to nothing in football terms.
The Black Cats boast a squad packed with young talent who were acquired for very little.
Examples of this strategy are Jobe Bellingham, Trai Hume, and Dan Ballard, who were purchased for a combined total of around £3.7million.
| Player | Signed from | Fee |
| Jobe Bellingham | Birmingham City | £1.5million |
| Dan Ballard | Arsenal | £2million |
| Trai Hume | Linfield | £200,000 |
Given that Bellingham has been tipped for a move away from Wearside for north of £20million shows just how good that business was.
However, that strategy must be tweaked if Sunderland are going to compete in the Premier League.
Indeed, money man Kieran Maguire has detailed the Weasrsiders’ financial position this summer for BBC Sport (1 June).
He says that Enzo Le Fee’s permanent arrival from Roma could kickstart a recruitment drive with the North East club in good financial shape.
Maguire adds that since Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League in 2017, they have not spent more than £10million in a single year on players despite receiving parachute payments.
Furthermore, they have only made losses of £18million in the last two seasons.
The Black Cats and Burnley are the only top-flight clubs yet to go above the £20million mark in a single player purchase.
Sunderland must spend to survive in Premier League
It sounds obvious, but Sunderland have no choice but to up their spending this summer.
The deals of the past have worked wonders, but the North East club need players who can perform now.
Le Fee is just the start, and he has shown plenty of quality to convince supporters he is ready for the Premier League.
The Black Cats need additions all over the park, and a return for Jordan Henderson could be on the cards.
Although there will be little expectation of Sunderland surviving, spending big will give them some chance.