Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has now dropped a hugely promising Sunderland transfer update, following the permanent signing of Enzo Le Fee.
Le Fee joins Black Cats in permanent deal
It has been a positive start to the Black Cats’ summer, as they immediately plan for life back in the Premier League after their memorable promotion from the Championship last month. Sunderland have made a big statement by signing Le Fee on a permanent basis, following his loan spell at the Stadium of Light in 2024/25, snapping him up for a club-record fee of around £20m.
The Frenchman played his part in Regis Le Bris’ side’s promotion, registering three assists in 14 Championship starts, and he has spoken of his happiness at extending his stay on Wearside.
“I said before the play-off final that my heart was in Sunderland – I wanted to stay, and this made it the most important game of my life. Together, we did it. From the moment I arrived, I have enjoyed my football, my team-mates, and our supporters. We shared an incredible experience, and now we get to take the next step. There are greater challenges ahead, but we must face them together, and I can’t wait to play for Sunderland in the Premier League.”
Sunderland could surpass Le Fee signing in summer spree
Writing on X on Thursday, Downie claimed that Sunderland could again break their transfer record this summer, overtaking the amount paid for Le Fee as they splash out on as many as five new arrivals.
This will be music to the ears of Black Cats fans, with the club showing real signs of ambition before the 2025/26 season gets underway.
In the past two years, all three promoted Championship sides have gone straight back down from the Premier League, so Le Bris’ job is to put a stop to that, aided by signing some top-quality players.
Sunderland’s 10 most expensive signings
Signed from
Cost
1. Enzo Le Fee
Roma
£20m
2. Didier Ndong
Lorient
£16.9m
3. Asamoah Gyan
Rennes
£13.5m
4. Steven Fletcher
Wolves
£12.8m
5. Adam Johnson
Man City
£10.7m
6. Jack Rodwell
Man City
£10.5m
7. Darren Bent
Tottenham
£9.9m
8. Wahbi Khazri
Bordeaux
£9.9m
9. Jeremain Lens
Dynamo Kyiv
£9.6m
10. Tore Andre Flo
Rangers
£9.3m
If Sunderland are able to break their transfer record twice in the same summer, it could only bode well in that respect, and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has further hinted at a busy summer taking place.
“We want to aim for high performance and to have a youthful squad, but we also understand the challenge of what the Premier League is. It’s the best league in the world and we’re going to have to make sure we have a team that is capable of doing what our teams have done before, but at a higher level.”
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Sunderland also must try and convince Jobe Bellingham to stay put, making it the perfect summer, but that may be wishful thinking at this point, with a move to Borussia Dortmund seemingly on the cards.
