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SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Granit Xhaka and team mates of Sunderland celebrate after Sunderland qualify for the Europa League after the Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at Stadium of Light on May 24, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
By this time last summer, Sunderland had already signed eight players, right?
Maybe it’s just me, but I could’ve sworn Sunderland came out swinging, signing numerous players in June to jump start the transfer window. However, Enzo Le Fée, whose signing on June 3 was largely a formality, was the only player unveiled that month by the Black Cats.
Additionally, the transfer window only opened on Monday, and the World Cup will likely preclude much from happening any earlier this year — although the deals for Marc Cucurella and Ismael Saibari show that isn’t an absolute.
Finally, Sunderland will almost certainly sign fewer players this summer, with all indications being four to six incoming. That in itself should make for a much more muted transfer window.
What, though, were the timelines of Sunderland’s pursuit of fourteen other signings last summer — and were they long pursuits or bolts from the blue? Let’s take a look.
Habib Diarra
The first inkling of Sunderland interest came on June 11 from TBR Football, who reported that Leeds, Fulham, Bournemouth and Sunderland were after the Strasbourg midfielder. The report came the morning after Diarra scored for Senegal against England at Wembley.
It wasn’t until more than two weeks later that rumours ramped up of a £30 million bid in order to trump an earlier Leeds offer of £23.5 million, — rumours that got the Fabrizio Romano seal of approval on July 27 and a “Here We Go” on June 28.
The official club announcement came three days later.
Noah Sadiki
There were plenty of rumours swirling around Union Saint Gilloise’s Sadiki, but they seemed largely confined to Leeds, whose fans seemed happy to have him after missing out on Diarra.
Out of nowhere, though, Sunderland came to terms with the Belgian club and Sadiki on July 2, with the club announcement two days later.
Reinildo Mandava
Reinildo’s transfer was eerily similar to Diarra’s, from the initial links with Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and continually passed over Leeds, coming July 11 from GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs.
It wasn’t until the day after confirming Diarra’s signing on July 29 that Romano did the same with Reinildo.
Though the terms were agreed before Sadiki’s signing, Reinildo’s club announcement didn’t come until a week later, on July 8.
Chemsdine Talbi
Talbi was another quick one, and there doesn’t seem to be much out there linking the Moroccan winger with Sunderland before July 5.
Four days later, he was unveiled in red and white.
Simon Adingra
Sunderland reportedly asked for Adingra on loan in January 2025, when Brighton tried to sign Tommy Watson.
Both of those deals fell through, though the Black Cats would agree in the spring to a deal with Brighton for the soon-to-be playoff hero.
One report suggested interest in June, but July 9 erupted with news of an agreement with Sunderland. The official announcement came the next day.
Granit Xhaka
The granddaddy of them all and arguably the most important transfer in club history, was first suggested by Sacha Tavolieri — who was also the first on the Talbi transfer — on July 15.
July 22 and 23 brought word the Swiss midfielder had agreed to terms, but also Leverkusen head coach Erik Ten Hag’s firm statement, “He’s too important for us to let him go.” For several days, the rumour mill seemed to indicate Ten Hag was right.
But, on July 28, Tavolieri did it again.
️ World exclusive news now set to be confirmed as Granit Xhaka touched the ground tonight in order to complete his move with Sunderland AFC from tomorrow morning.
✍ 3 years, as always revealed.
Saga, over. #mercato#SAFC
@SkySports_Keithpic.twitter.com/eqh7myqwLK
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) July 28, 2025
The club officially announced Xhaka’s arrival on July 30, and he made his debut — along with Reinildo and Robin Roefs — on August 2 against Real Betis at the Stadium of Light.
Robin Roefs
Similar to Sadiki and Talbi, the signing of Roefs from NEC Nijmegen seemingly came out of nowhere on July 30.
Sunderland had been linked with Marcin Bułka, who went to Neom in the Saudi Pro League, and Djordje Petrović, who signed with Bournemouth.
The club announcement, in Dutch, came two days later on August 1.
Marc Guiu
Remember Guiu?
- July 30: Rumours
- July 31: Loan agreement
- August 6: Signing announced
- August 26: Scores in League Cup loss to Huddersfield
- September 1: Recalled by Chelsea
Legend.
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Arthur Masuaku
Remember Masuaku? He played exactly 114 more minutes for Sunderland as Guiu, and the build up to his free transfer was about as short.
Reports of an agreement hit on August 8, and he got his formal announcement on August 10.
Welcome to Sunderland AFC, Arthur Masuaku!
The left-back signs a two-year contract and becomes the Club’s 10th summer signing.
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 10, 2025
Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele
Sunderland had seemingly circled Bologna centre back Jhon Lucumi all summer, but the Colombian didn’t want the move because he wanted to play in Europe (oh, the irony).
The Black Cats switched gears and moved fast to get Alderete from Getafe, with initial reports emerging on August 8 and a club announcement on August 10.
Mukiele came a week later from PSG, but was an even faster turnaround, with three days from the initial reporting to his unveiling.
Welcome to Sunderland AFC, Nordi Mukiele!
The defender moves to Wearside from Paris Saint-Germain for an undisclosed fee and signs a four-year contract.
@livescore
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 17, 2025
Lutsharel Geertruida, Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traoré
Geertruida was seemingly headed to Marseille the day before the deadline, but Sunderland — in the words of several social media commentators — “hijacked” the loan deal. The versatile Dutchman was the first of the deadline day trio announced.
There were hints of a Brobbey and Sunderland link in July Transfer Pioniers, which noted his change of representation and its links to Sunderland.
Along with Roma, Rennes and Stuttgart, Sunderland continued to circle the Dutch striker but when Guiu was recalled to Chelsea, they pounced.
Brobbey’s Ajax teammate Traoré may get the win for longest “pursuit,” as there were whispers about Sunderland interest in the Burkino Faso winger in (*checks notes*) 2016 and 2019.
On deadline day, though, it wasn’t until the afternoon that anyone mentioned a move, and that was to say a deal wasn’t happening.
Based on last summer’s dealings and the late move for Nilson Angulo in January, the club’s modus operandi is to do its business as quickly and as quietly as possible.
Leaks, though, are bound to happen when club record fees (Diarra) and expectations (Xhaka) are shattered.
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