Sunderland 2026/27 Premier League preview: Black Cats could regret quiet summer

After defying expectations to finish seventh in the Premier League last season, Sunderland have been surprisingly quiet during the summer transfer window.

They made 14 signings after winning promotion from the Championship and subsequently justified the outlay by qualifying for the Europa League.

With that in mind, read on as we assess whether Sunderland can kick on this season.

Sunderland Premier League fixtures 2026/27

Sunderland summer transfers 2026

IN: Zak Johnson (York City, end of loan), Thomas Meunier (Lille, free)

OUT: Bertrand Traore (released), Dan Neil (released), Dennis Cirkin (released), Niall Huggins (released), Harrison Jones (Peterborough United, undisclosed), Zak Johnson (York City, undisclosed), Milan Aleksic (Partizan Belgrade, loan), Eliezer Mayenda (Rennes, undisclosed), Ahmed Abdullahi (Eyupspor, undisclosed), Arthur Masuaku (Konyaspor, undisclosed), Leo Hjelde (KV Mechelen, undisclosed), Anthony Patterson (Wrexham, undisclosed)

(Information correct on August 20).

Sunderland Premier League season 2026/27 preview

Thomas Meunier’s arrival on a free transfer is Sunderland’s only acquisition to date. Time is not on their side with the deadline scheduled for September 1.

Inflated market prices have not helped Sunderland’s cause, and complying with financial regulations is clearly another factor.

Intriguingly, BBC reporter Nick Barnes claims that manager Regis Le Bris is unconcerned by the club’s lack of transfer activity this summer.

“The general mood of Sunderland fans at the moment is there’s a slight anxiety over the fact that there’s still no new faces after the arrival of Meunier,” he said.

“Le Bris has said that they are working hard behind the scenes, and we’re hearing the players they are linked with, the knockbacks they’re getting from some, and the fees some clubs want.

“I’ll reiterate again, Le Bris was very relaxed after Lens on Saturday and says they will get these players in and he’s happy to start the season with the squad that he’s got.

“He’s repeatedly said, even from the end of last season, that the team that starts will probably be much the same that beat Chelsea on the last day of the season.”

Sunderland will probably strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes, but that may not be enough for them to build on what they achieved last season.

Conducting business early is generally a more successful approach than settling for secondary targets later in the transfer window.

Local rivals Newcastle United found that out to their cost last season and Sunderland may similarly struggle this time around.

Nottingham Forest’s fall from seventh place in 2024/25 to 16th place last season shows what could potentially happen to the Black Cats.

The clubs who finished around Sunderland last season have all strengthened their squads, further cranking up the pressure.

With the club set to compete in the Europa League, the additional workload could prove to be problematic during the first half of the season.

Many other clubs have struggled to balance the demands of domestic and European competitions, and Sunderland could face the same fate.

Le Bris undoubtedly has quality at his disposal, but injuries to a couple of key players would be hugely detrimental to their hopes of success this term.

The remainder of the transfer window will determine whether Sunderland can cope with a season that could extend well beyond 60 matches.

Read more: Premier League 2026/27 season preview.