Sunderland now want “exceptional” £37k-p/w star who could cost £30 million
Sunderland Eye Ambitious Signings as They Return to the Premier League
Sunderland are back in the Premier League and, according to reports, may be looking to make a high-profile signing to mark their return in style.
Establishing Themselves Among the Elite
The Black Cats, a well-known name in English football, are aiming to re-establish themselves in the top flight. With a prolonged absence from Premier League action behind them, new manager Régis Le Bris may need to focus on stability before pursuing bigger ambitions.
One major setback for Sunderland is the departure of rising star Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund. His exit leaves a noticeable gap in midfield, and former player Darren Williams expressed a sense of what might have been.
“We brought him in for a low fee and made a strong profit,” said Williams. “But I would’ve loved to see him test himself in the Premier League with us.”
He continued: “It’s a great deal financially. The club has done well from the sales of the last few players.”
While the reported £27 million fee represents smart business, Sunderland must now find a suitable replacement to maintain their momentum. Reports indicate that Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra is a potential target to reinforce midfield depth. Additionally, the club is pursuing Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Tommy Doyle, with a focus on signing players familiar with English football to ease the transition back to the top tier—while also keeping a close eye on market value.
Defensive Reinforcements on the Radar
Sunderland are also reportedly targeting Celtic centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers. As per journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to 67 Hail Hail, the American defender could be available for a fee in the region of £25–30 million.
Bailey commented: “Every player in this Celtic squad has a price, and there’s a real risk Carter-Vickers could leave. That won’t sit well with fans, but Celtic could fetch a strong fee. I’d say £25 to £30 million.”
He noted that the defender, who has Champions League experience and four straight league titles with Celtic, is drawing interest from multiple clubs including Sunderland, Leeds United, and West Ham.
Carter-Vickers, hailed by Bailey as having had an “exceptional” few seasons, is reportedly Celtic’s joint-highest earner at £37,000 per week and still has four years left on his contract—making him a pricey target.
Nonetheless, Sunderland, along with their Championship rivals Leeds, remain optimistic about completing the deal. Whether they can convince Carter-Vickers to join their Premier League project remains to be seen.
