Sunderland need just one point from their last four games of the season to guarantee their place in the Premier League for the 2026/27 campaign.
The Black Cats have done brilliantly in their first year back in the top-flight and Regis Le Bris deserves huge credit for keeping them in the division.
Not all of their signings from the last summer transfer window have been successful at the Stadium of Light, though, as central midfielder Habib Diarra has struggled at times.
The £27m club-record signing from Strasbourg has only scored two goals and provided one assist in his 17 appearances in the Premier League so far this season.
He has also averaged less than one tackle (0.8) and one interception (0.2) per game in the division, whilst losing 53% of his ground duels and 52% of his aerial battles.
Sunderland plotting bid to sign new central midfielder this summer
Diarra’s lack of consistency in the final third and his lack of impact out of possession has made him a bit of an underwhelming signing, given the club-record fee that was splashed out on him.
The Senegal international’s struggles may also be why the club are reportedly looking to bolster their squad with the addition of another player in his position.
According to Media Foot, Sunderland are pursuing a deal to sign central midfielder Yacine Titraoui from RC Sporting Charleroi in the upcoming summer transfer window.The report claims that the Black Cats are already in talks with his agents over the possibility of a summer move to the Stadium of Light, although Nottingham Forest have taken the same steps.
It adds that Sunderland are preparing to make their first official bid for the 22-year-old talent, but does not reveal how much they are willing to offer for his services.Media Foot also does not state how much the Belgian side are set to demand for the midfielder, who is wanted by Marseille, Forest, and Sunderland this summer.
How Yacine Titraoui would be an upgrade on Habib Diarra
As aforementioned, Diarra has struggled with the offensive and defensive side of the game in the Premier League this season, which is why his performances have been disappointing.
Titraoui’s performances in the Pro League for Charleroi, though, suggest that he has the potential to offer more to the Black Cats with his play in possession and off the ball.The Algeria international has averaged 3.0 tackles and interceptions per game in the Belgian top-flight this season, which is three times as many as Diarra in the Premier Legue for Sunderland.
|
25/26 |
Titraoui (Pro League) |
Diarra (Premier League) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
30 |
17 |
|
Goals |
4 |
2 |
|
Big chances created |
3 |
0 |
|
Tackles per game |
1.8 |
0.8 |
|
Interceptions per game |
1.2 |
0.2 |
|
Duels won per game |
4.3 |
3.3 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
56% |
47% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
44% |
48% |
Their respective statistics at league level in the 2025/26 campaign suggest that Titraoui would offer more quality and physicality out of possession in comparison to the £27m-rated midfielder, as he wins considerably more duels, tackles, and interceptions.
Sunderland have conceded nine goals in the last two matches with Diarra starting in the middle of the park, and they may have prevented some of those goals if they had made more tackles or interceptions to break up Aston Villa and Forest’s attacks.
Titraoui, who was hailed as “aggressive” by youth football expert Alfred Frank, has consistently shown that he can win duels and excel in the physical side of the game, which is where the ex-Ligue 1 star has struggled.
The Algerian star also won 3.0 tackles and interceptions per game and scored two goals in 31 appearances in the Pro League in the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that his current form is more than just a flash in the pan.
The Pro League sensation’s return of four goals and three ‘big chances’ created also suggests that he could add more to Sunderland’s attack than Diarra, if he can translate that form over to the Premier League, by offering a greater threat in the final third.
Therefore, Titraoui could be a phenomenal addition to the squad as a central midfielder who has the potential to be an upgrade on Diarra both in and out of possession next season.
Struggling Sunderland player is becoming their biggest flop since Ndong
This Sunderland player is fast becoming the club’s biggest flop since Didier Ndong at the Stadium of Light.
