Alious
Régis Le Bris Sets January Transfer Limits as Sunderland Plan Careful Squad Tweaks
Régis Le Bris has outlined Sunderland’s intentions for the January transfer window, confirming the club are only looking to make a small number of additions as they seek to build on an impressive first half of the season without disrupting the strong harmony within the squad.
The Black Cats head coach revealed that Sunderland are targeting **no more than two or three new signings**, stressing that the current group has reached a level he is pleased with following the extensive recruitment drive in the summer. Behind the scenes, the club’s strengthened recruitment team, led by director of football Florent Ghisolfi, is actively identifying suitable opportunities ahead of the window.
Le Bris emphasised that January business will not just be about incoming players, but also about managing departures. He believes it is vital to help fringe players find regular football elsewhere, ensuring their development continues while maintaining balance within the squad.
“Behind the scenes, with the whole squad, we are working hard on both ins and outs because it is important in both directions,” Le Bris explained. “My focus right now is on the upcoming matches, but with Flo and his team, the groundwork is being done. After signing 14 players last summer, we are happy with the level of the squad. We don’t need a big impact in January — we’re talking about two or three profiles coming in at most, and probably a few more leaving to create opportunities for them.”
The Sunderland boss also believes the club’s strong form will be a major advantage when attracting potential signings. According to Le Bris, players are naturally more inclined to join a side with positive momentum rather than one struggling for confidence.
With that in mind, Sunderland are expected to move on several players who have not featured regularly since the start of the campaign, including Ian Poveda and Abdoullah Ba. Le Bris confirmed that their situations are unlikely to change, even with several senior players away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
“We still have enough numbers without this group, so it probably won’t change their situation,” he said. “January is often about opportunity. They are good players, so they may find options elsewhere.”
Ghisolfi has previously echoed this measured approach, insisting that the priority remains the development of the squad assembled in the summer. Speaking last month, the director of football highlighted the importance of cohesion and identity, pointing to players like Dan Ballard as examples of why continuity matters.
Sunderland, one of the youngest teams in the league, are keen to strike a balance between stability and freshness. While Ghisolfi acknowledged that some exits and arrivals can provide new energy, he made it clear that wholesale changes are not on the agenda. Instead, the club’s focus will be on reinforcing what is already working well — with mentality and team spirit at the heart of every decision.
Alious
