AliousSpeakman Eyes £48.7m Premier League Splash – Sunderland Linked with Gomez and Diarra as Aleksić Nears Exit and Abdul-Samed Attracts Bundesliga Interest
Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League has ignited an aggressive recruitment campaign, with reports linking the club to a series of ambitious transfer targets. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and head of recruitment Stuart Harvey are reportedly preparing for a major summer reshuffle, with several high-profile names on their radar.
Joe Gomez Headlines £48.7m Double Swoop
The standout name currently linked with the Black Cats is Liverpool and England defender Joe Gomez. According to The Guardian, Liverpool are open to selling the 28-year-old centre-back for around £30 million. Gomez, who boasts 149 Premier League appearances and 15 England caps, is not short of suitors, with Newcastle, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham, Leeds United, and Burnley all reportedly circling. If Sunderland manage to land him, it would mark a significant statement of intent in their bid to solidify top-flight status.
In addition to Gomez, Sunderland are also chasing Strasbourg’s highly-rated midfielder Habib Diarra. The 20-year-old Senegalese international has impressed in Ligue 1 and is valued at approximately £18.7 million. Sunderland face stiff competition from across Europe, but their interest underscores a serious push to add top-tier talent to Régis Le Bris’s squad.
**Other Defensive Options Being Considered**
Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers is another name being monitored, with Leeds also believed to be in the mix. The American defender has been a vital cog in the Scottish champions’ defence and previously featured for Tottenham and Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Millwall’s Japhet Tanganga, who enjoyed a strong second half of the 2024–25 campaign, is also on Sunderland’s radar. The Black Cats are reportedly competing with Crystal Palace for his signature.
Aleksić Poised for Loan Return to Serbia
Teen midfielder Milan Aleksić appears to be heading out on loan. Serbian outlet reports indicate that Partizan Belgrade are in advanced talks with Sunderland over a temporary move. The 19-year-old, who joined the Wearside outfit last year, has struggled for first-team opportunities and is open to returning home to gain regular playing time. Aleksić, a Serbian youth international, failed to make a breakthrough under either Michael Beale or current boss Régis Le Bris.
Isaac Price Among Midfield Targets
Sunderland have also been linked with West Brom midfielder Isaac Price, a Northern Ireland international. The 21-year-old, who came through the ranks at Everton, has attracted interest after a standout season. Reports suggest that Sunderland, along with fellow promoted clubs Burnley and Portsmouth, are tracking his situation closely as West Brom prepare for potential outgoings.
Abdul-Samed Draws German Interest
Former Sunderland loanee Salis Abdul-Samed is drawing serious attention from Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart. The Ghanaian midfielder, who featured 11 times for Sunderland before injury cut short his loan stint, has returned to RC Lens but could be on the move again. *Africa Foot* claims Stuttgart are weighing up a £5.1 million offer. The player is said to be intrigued by the prospect of playing in Germany, viewing it as an important step in his career.
Ex-Defender Feeney Returns to Carlisle
In a smaller but sentimental development, former Sunderland centre-back Morgan Feeney has signed a two-year deal with Carlisle United. After leaving Shrewsbury Town, Feeney will officially return to Brunton Park on July 1. He previously made over 100 appearances for the Cumbrian side and is expected to play a key role in their rebuild in League Two.
As Sunderland gear up for their Premier League comeback, the scale of their transfer ambitions is becoming increasingly clear. With marquee signings being explored and player movements both in and out of the club, this summer could define the Black Cats’ top-flight future.
Alious
