Sunderland readying dream move to re-sign £40m star

After promotion back to the Premier League ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, every Sunderland fan would have snatched your hand off for survival with three games to spare.

Regis Le Bris’ side currently sit nine points clear with three outings left, resulting in the Black Cats being all but safe due to their superior goal difference over West Ham United.

The hierarchy’s excellent recruitment during last summer’s transfer window has undoubtedly propelled the side to such an impressive first season in the top-flight.

Given the gap to the relegation places, the hierarchy will no doubt be starting to draw up a list of potential targets for the upcoming transfer window in June.

Numerous players have already appeared on the club’s radar, but it remains to be seen how realistic the current targets will be upon the opening of the window.

Sunderland could make approach to re-sign fan-favourite

Over the last couple of weeks, Sunderland have emerged as a leading contender to secure the signature of Napoli midfielder Zambo Frank Anguissa.

The Cameroonian international is also on the radar of fellow Premier League side Bournemouth, which could lead to a transfer battle for the 30-year-old’s signature.

A return to England could well be on the cards for the experienced star, after previously spending multiple years on the books of Fulham between 2018 and 2022.

However, Anguissa isn’t the only target currently in the sights of the Black Cats hierarchy, with former loanee Amad Diallo also being targeted ahead of the summer.

According to I News, Le Bris’ side are preparing an approach to Manchester United to land the Ivorian winger on a permanent basis after his loan spell back in 2022/23.

The report also states that whilst the Red Devils are reluctant to sell the youngster this summer, a deal could be reached if they make any big-money reinforcements.

A £40m price tag has been mentioned in any potential deal for the 23-year-old, but with Black Cats expected to step up their interest over a dream return to the Stadium of Light.

Why Amad would be a bigger coup than Xhaka for Sunderland

After promotion back to the Premier League last season, Sunderland shocked many around the division after completing the £20m signing of experienced star Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss international arrived from Bayer Leverkusen with the expectation of leading the side and offering the needed top-flight quality to the heart of the team.

The 33-year-old has led by example this term, featuring in all but four games and subsequently playing a vital role in helping the side stay in the division.

As a result, he’s even been touted by many as the Premier League’s Signing of the Season, further signifying his immediate impact at the Stadium of Light.

There’s no doubt the former Arsenal star has exceeded all expectations in recent months, but the hierarchy could well complete a bigger transfer with a deal for Amad this summer.

The Ivorian captured the hearts of the fanbase during his previous loan spell on Wearside, subsequently registering 17 combined goals and assists in his 39 appearances.

Such a spell would allow the forward to link up with the senior side at Old Trafford – a position he’s held consistently under various managers over the last three seasons.

However, after scoring just two goals and losing his place to Bryan Mbeumo, a move could be on the cards, with a fairytale return to join the Black Cats one potential option.

Despite his poor goalscoring figures, Amad, who’s been dubbed a “wizard” by journalist James Copley, has produced some impressive underlying stats – many of which highlight his quality.

He’s completed 1.6 successful dribbles per 90 in England’s top-flight this campaign – with such a tally ranking him in the top 5% of all attackers in the division.

The Ivorian has also created 1.7 chances per 90 along with 5.3 touches in the opposition box per 90 – also ranking him in the top 5% of players in his position.

Without the ball, the youngster could also prove to be a valuable asset to Le Bris’ side, with Amad completing 8.1 defensive actions and 1.6 tackles per 90 this term.

Despite United’s current reluctance to offload their talented youngster, Sunderland must be persistent in their efforts to land a fairytale return when the window opens.

£40m would be a huge statement of intent, but such a deal would no doubt improve the options at the manager’s disposal and allow them to rise up the table in 2026/27.

Should he have a similar impact to his previous spell at the Stadium of Light, there’s no doubt Amad would be a bigger coup than that of Xhaka last summer.