Sunderland continue mega transfer spends as finance expert reacts
Sunderland have already laid down several markers with the transfer business they have carried out this summer.
While they may have lost Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson, the Black Cats have spent substantially to replace them.
Sunderland announced the club-record signing of Habib Diarra for £30million, eclipsing the £19.3million spent on Enzo Le Fée earlier in the window.
However, the Wearsiders have continued to spend big, with several more players expected through the door.
Sunderland open up funds with Bellingham departure
While the sale of Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund was a bitter blow for Sunderland, it has allowed them to spend this summer.
Having already acquired Diarra, Sunderland have also secured the signing of Noah Sadiki for an initial fee of £15million.
Football finance expert Dan Plumley – speaking exclusively to Mackem News – has weighed in on the Wearsiders’ transfer activity.
“We talked about this sort of hybrid style approach, where we might see one or two big signings and then a few smaller signings, and you would file this one [Diarra] in the big category,” he said.
“There’s also a benefit here, of course, because of that record fee for a newly promoted club.
“The Bellingham transfer is obviously a big factor that we have to consider because that is not just necessarily a like-for-like in terms of money swap, but it does free up that room to go out and spend a little bit more on some of these players.
“They may have done that anyway, even having kept Bellingham, but it does give you a little bit more room to manoeuvre, especially with the TV money that’s coming in.
“It’s a statement of intent for sure, and everything about that club at the minute is screaming really positive vibes going into this season, so fingers crossed it could be a really good season for the club.”
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus showing ambition at Stadium of Light
It feels laughable that some questioned Louis-Dreyfus’ transfer approach in previous windows, with sensibly low spending.
However, that was essential for the Black Cats to be in the fortunate position that they are in now.
Sunderland are a stable club financially and can now spend significant money to build a Premier League squad capable of survival.
It would be unsurprising if the Wearsiders spent over £100million this summer, and that is thanks to Louis-Dreyfus.
Transfers are going through by the day, and the North East outfit are not mucking around.
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