Sunderland ‘make Alderete statement of intent’ with unexpected new transfers
Sunderland have been one of the unexpected stories of the transfer window as they assemble a Premier League survival squad.
Habib Diarra is a club record signing at the Stadium of Light, having joined from RC Strasbourg for £30million.
Now, the Black Cats’ spending stands at over £100million, and it is only expected to grow before the window closes.
Sunderland’s most recent acquisition is Omar Alderete, who arrived for a measly £10m from Getafe.
This story includes exclusive comment from football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley.
Alderete can guide Sunderland to Premier League survival
Alderete has been compared to Sergio Ramos, and if he can show the same ability as the Spaniard, then Sunderland are on to a winner.
Now, football finance expert Dan Plumley – speaking exclusively to Mackem News – has weighed in on a cheaper Wearside transfer.
“When you spend in and around £100million, what’s another £10m kind of scenario? We’ve seen them be aggressive.
“I perhaps didn’t expect them to be as aggressive, but they’ve clearly made a statement of intent here, and some of those players have been big fees, but there’s also been a few that have perhaps gone under the radar, and they’ll feel like they’ve had to do that, as we’ve said, to compete.
- Alderete has made over 100 La Liga appearances
- Capped 29 times at international level
- Played in the Europa League and Champions League qualifiers
“It’s a huge gap, and they’re a few years out of the Premier League, but fair play to them for absolutely having a go.
“I think they’ve set themselves up to have a good squad, no matter what happens, and again, that’s the balance: you’re not just setting yourself up for the season in the Premier League, you’re looking at what might happen whether you stay up or not.
“And getting that squad in a shape like a Leeds or like a Burnley or like a Sheffield United, who yo-yo a little bit at the minute.
“It’s a good strategy to have, so I think a bit more money than perhaps expected them to spend, but some of those players, particularly in the lower end of the values, might turn out to be really good buys and value for money if they can get anywhere near survival, it’d be amazing for them.”
Read more: Sunderland fans will really love Omar Alderete’s comparison to World Cup-winning defender
Alderete just what Black Cats need in Premier League
The Black Cats have been crying out for centre-backs all summer long, and they have finally got their wish.
While Alderete may not have been the first choice, he has the major league experience and commanding presence to be a hit on Wearside.
Sunderland’s lack of options was laid bare in pre-season, with Jenson Seelt partnering Dan Ballard in the hub of Regis Le Bris’ defence.
Now, they have a quality option in Alderete, and at £10m, they have not had to fork out on a clear upgrade.
Le Bris could do with another option at centre back, and they may well sign another one before the window closes.
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