Regis Le Bris might well already be adored by Sunderland supporters for his promotion heroics up to the Premier League, but if he can now keep the Black Cats afloat in the top-flight, his legendary status on Wearside will be even more concrete.
This will be extremely difficult to pull off, considering the Frenchman has never managed a game in the intimidating division before, but the statement additions through the door at the Stadium of Light this summer so far will give him some confidence that safety can be unbelievably achieved.
Up next on the Sunderland transfer agenda looks to be ex-Arsenal warrior Granit Xhaka, with an ambitious move now reportedly being explored.
But, he isn’t a lone, exciting name on the Black Cats’ extensive shopping list, as contact has now been made to try and seal a deal for an up-and-coming striker to join Le Bris’ camp.
Sunderland make contact over deal for £34m star
Crazy amounts of money are being splashed by the Black Cats to try and make their survival dreams a reality, with £30m forked out on Habib Diarra last month, which made him the club’s record buy.
Xhaka would cost far less at around the £9m mark according to reports, but that record fee to land the former Strasbourg midfielder is just about surpassed when looking at the £34m price tag next to Sunderland’s other bold striker target.
A report from Graeme Bailey has revealed that Sunderland are in the race to land in-demand Real Madrid starlet Gonzalo Garcia this summer.
The Black Cats are joined in making contact with Madrid regarding a loan deal by fellow newly promoted Leeds United, alongside Brentford, and West Ham United.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The LaLiga giants are currently deciding whether Garcia should remain with the side in 2024/25 before making a concrete decision on his future.
Why Garcia is a more exciting signing than Xhaka
Of course, Xhaka does have plenty of Premier League experience on his side that would be invaluable to Le Bris and Co trying to stay afloat.
But, with Sunderland’s reputation for being a haven for youngsters to explode into life even more becoming very well-known, signing Garcia on loan could go down as a more exciting signing than the Swiss enforcer joining the Stadium of Light ranks, particularly if his golden form in front of goal at the Club World Cup translates over well to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.
Before delving deeper into Garcia’s heroics for Los Blancos, Xhaka didn’t always experience the smoothest ride in the Premier League with Arsenal, before moving on to Bayer Leverkusen.
Worryingly so for a team attempting to be competitive in every league clash they are in next season, Xhaka would be known for having a suspect record in terms of bookings in the elite division, culminating in a high tally of four red cards and 57 yellow cards being brandished to him over 225 top-flight outings.
Of course, he also fired home 17 strikes and picked up 24 assists for the Gunners as a fiery midfield character, but forking out £9m on Xhaka might not be deemed the most pressing move to make, considering £30m has already been splashed on the aforementioned Diarra centrally.
Whereas, every team that wants to keep their heads above water in the Premier League needs a potent forward line, but with Le Bris’ main option up top last season in Wilson Isidor, squandering a mammoth 20 big chances in league action.
Not everyone will be confident he can lead the line with venom, which is where Garcia might well come in to save the day.
Games played
6
Goals scored
4
Assists
1
Scoring frequency
113 mins
Goal conversion
36%
Big chances missed
3
Sunderland’s interest in Garcia must have been piqued somewhat by his blistering exploits at the Club World Cup, with the “world-class” striker – as he was dubbed by football journalist Zach Lowy for his clinical displays in America – going on to bag a sublime four strikes from six games in the pre-season tournament.
To bump up his reputation for being a goal machine even more, the 21-year-old has also amassed a hefty 30 goals back in his native Spain for the Real Madrid Castilla squad from only 78 contests, leading to football talent scout Jacek Kulig also labelling him as “incredible.”
Whilst Xhaka might well be the safer pick here with his Premier League credentials, Sunderland could really show they mean business by landing one of Los Blancos’ biggest rising stars and turning him into even more of a menace in such a tough division.
On the contrary, the ex-Arsenal midfielder has perhaps had his moment in the top-flight spotlight already.
Speakman and Ghisolfi in talks to sign £8.5m treble winner for Sunderland
Sunderland have now joined the race to sign an experienced international midfielder.
ByBrett WorthingtonJul 16, 2025