Sunderland

BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes says fans will be disappointed no right winger was signed but, otherwise, the Black Cats have achieved what they set out to in the summer transfer window.

"Overall, it has not been a bad window," he said. "The one thing Sunderland fans will be - I don't know if anxious is the right word, probably disappointed - about is they didn't bring a right winger in. That was the one area everybody felt that there was going to be a nailed-on signing this summer and that hasn't happened.

"For whatever reason, they were also targeting left wingers. Fofana is a left winger. But, they have more or less achieved what they set out to achieve at the end of last season in this window - getting three or four quality players in and not the numbers we saw last season."

Hit play above to hear more on the right-winger situation above, and a more general assessment of the window below. You can listen to both on BBC Sounds.

Meanwhile, former Sunderland midfielder Martin Smith focused on the positive of The Black Cats keeping their top stars.

"It's been massive, just to get that stability," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"The way they were going last year, a lot of supporters thought we could lose a Roefs, we could lose a Diarra. Brobbey also went to the World Cup and did well. But, I don't think anybody made any noises to leave, which is a really positive thing.

"I know there was the Granit Xhaka thing, but that got put to bed quite quickly. If he didn't want to be here, he would have made more of a noise and he didn't.

"So it looks like a really settled bunch and it's positive they're adding to it."

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French football expert Robin Bairner says Sunderland fans will love Malick Fofana after the Black Cats beat Crystal Palace to sign the winger.

"This would be a really tremendous signing not only for what Fofana can provide for them at the moment but for what he can potentially do for them in the future," Bairner told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I think it's a great deal not just because of his quality as a player which is undoubted but you know the price point that they're going to get him at, we're probably looking at sort of 30 to 40 million euros is absolutely outstanding considering what we've seen other left wingers go for in this market."

He added: "It's obviously been a hugely inflated transfer market overall but you know this price for Fofana is really good. I mean he's been described as a sort of budget Bradley Barcola, we've seen Barcola obviously go to Liverpool for around 140 million euros and Sunderland look like they're going to get him for a fraction of that price and he has many of the same sort of qualities.

"He's a really quick winger, he loves to take on his opponent, he really gives impetus to his team when they're attacking and there's a really exciting player. The Sunderland fans will love him I'm sure."

Listen to more on Fofana above or on BBC Sounds.

Sunderland have done the following business on transfer deadline day:

• Centre-forward Luis Semedo has joined French second-tier side Clermont on a permanent transfer after three years at the Stadium of Light.

• Defender Kevin Danso has joined on a season-long loan from Tottenham.

• Sunderland beat Crystal Palace to the signing of Malick Fofana from Lyon in a deal worth £30m.

• The Black Cats sign teenage striker Juan Riquelme Angulo Caicedo from Independiente del Valle.

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What do you think of Sunderland's business in the transfer window? Let us know here

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Sunderland beat "big clubs" across Europe to the signature of Juan Riquelme Angulo Caicedo, says director of football Florent Ghisolfi.

Angulo, 18, has joined for an undisclosed fee from Ecuador's Independiente del Valle.

The 6ft 4in striker has found the net six times in 15 league outings already in his homeland this season.

Ghisolfi said: "There were a lot of big clubs around Europe chasing his signature, so this signing demonstrates the attraction of Sunderland AFC.

"His physical qualities are obvious, but he also has good movement, technical ability and a natural instinct for scoring goals.

"He has already shown in a short spell that he can compete at senior level despite his age, and we are delighted to bring him to Sunderland at this important stage of his development.

"We look forward to supporting him as he adapts to European football and continues his progression with us."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi says new signing Malick Fofana possesses "all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League".

The Black Cats have beaten Crystal Palace to the signing of Fofana - who had previously been linked with Arsenal - from Lyon in a deal worth £30m.

The forward becomes Sunderland's fifth signing of the summer and has agreed a long-term deal at the Stadium of Light.

"Malick has all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League," said Ghisolfi.

"He is a player with huge potential and Sunderland AFC will provide him with the right environment to continue to develop and prosper."

Fofana began his career at KAA Gent before joining Lyon in 2024. He scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 84 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

"He operates off the left and will complement the versatility of the other wide men we have at the club, who can play across both flanks," Ghisolfi added.

"We are delighted to welcome Malick to the club and look forward to supporting him as he takes the next steps in his career."

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland are set to complete their chaotic 30m euros (£25.7m) move for Malick Fofana from Lyon.

The Black Cats agreed a fee for Fofana this morning but Crystal Palace hijacked the move.

However, Sunderland have now won the race to sign Fofana with the deal now at the paperwork stage.

Arsenal also earlier attempted to sign Fofana, but the Premier League champions were unable to agree a fee with Lyon.

John Wenham from The Lilywhite Rose Podcast says new Sunderland loan signing Kevin Danso reminds him of former Black Cats defender Nyron Nosworthy.

"Kevin is a very dominant, aerial, aggressive centre-half," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I was thinking a little bit earlier about what Sunderland centre-half would he remind me of in recent years and I think that although Kevin's a little bit taller, he reminds of me of Nyron Nosworthy who was a big hero at Sunderland over a number of years, in terms of having that real aggressive style.

"He's not your centre-back that's going to play your passes out from the back so Sunderland will be hoping one of their other centre-backs can do that role but he's certainly your centre-back that will be aggressive, first into the tackle and really kind of set the tempo for the team."

Listen to more on Danso above or on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Kevin Danso says he is "excited" to join a "big club with huge ambition" after his season-long loan from Tottenham to Sunderland was confirmed.

The 27-year-old Austria international has made 52 appearances for Spurs since moving to North London from Ligue 1 side Lens - where he worked with Black Cats Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi - in January 2025.

"I'm really happy to be here and I can't wait to get started," Danso told club media on the move.

"Sunderland is a big club with huge ambition, and I'm excited to be part of what we're building this season.

"I know Florent well from our time together at Lens, so that was an important factor in my decision. I'm looking forward to working with him again, meeting my new team-mates and experiencing the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light."

Ghisolfi said: "Kevin is a player I know very well from my time working with him at RC Lens.

"He will bring strength, character and know-how to the squad, and vast experience of playing in domestic and European competitions.

"We're thrilled to add him to the squad for a historic season in Sunderland AFC's history."

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace are attempting to hijack Sunderland's move for Lyon's Malick Fofana.

The winger had agreed to join the Black Cats in a deal worth just under £30m, but the Eagles have now made their own proposal.

It is now up to the the 21-year-old to decide as he travels to England for a medical, having been offered a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

Any deal would cost an initial £25.6m, with a potential £4.3m in add-ons.

Arsenal also attempted to sign Fofana, but the Premier League champions were unable to agree a fee with Lyon.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland have agreed a deal worth just under £30m for Lyon winger Malick Fofana.

The 21-year-old is travelling to England for a medical and is expected to sign a five-year contract.

The deal for the Belgium forward will cost an initial £25.6m, with a potential £4.3m in add-ons.

Fofana is understood to be excited by the prospect of joining the Black Cats before their first European campaign in 51 years, having qualified for the Europa League.

The move follows attempts by Arsenal to sign Fofana, but the Premier League champions were unable to agree a fee with Lyon.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland centre-forward Luis Semedo has completed a permanent move to Ligue 2 club Clermont.

The 23-year-old, who signed for the Black Cats from Benfica in June 2023, made 23 appearances - including four starts - during his time at the Stadium of Light.

He also spent the past two seasons on loan at Serie C club Juventus Next Gen and Primeira Liga side Moreirense respectively.

BBC Radio Newcastle will be bringing you a special show on later on Tuesday examining the transfer business done by Newcastle United and Sunderland.

Presented by Harry Roy - with former Magpies defender John Anderson, ex-Black Cats forward Martin Smith, Newcastle commentator Matthew Raisbeck, Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes and transfers expert Paul Montgomery the guests in the studio - the programme will run from 22:00 to 00:00 BST, taking in the 23:00 transfer deadline.

Watch the show here later

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says he is happy that the Black Cats have kept the core of the squad but says they need more numbers to deal with extra European fixtures - and signing a forward is "imperative".

"I'm happy with this squad because it's the core that we had last season - 90% of the players from last season are still here, and I think that is the most important thing," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We need a few more numbers just because of the amount of these extra games that we're going to have to play, but they're not going to do anything too drastic because Regis le Bris has already talked about the size of his squad and what he can handle."

When asked about which position should be a priority for sporting director Florent Ghisolfi, Gabbiadini cited the forward line despite being content with Trai Hume and Nilson Angulo starting on the wing in Sunderland's opening games of the season.

"Another forward is imperative - in case of injuries more than anything, but it is always good to have competition in those places.

"The wide positions are a little bit open, and obviously the right-sided attacking midfield position. They obviously had a few targets there but he's also got Chris Rigg - who had some fantastic performances at the end of the season - who can play that position and I think they can rotate the lads from the left sometimes to the right.

"That's why they're not getting too het up at the moment, but clearly there will be some people coming in."

Listen to more from Gabbiadini above or on BBC Sounds

Tuesday is the final chance of the summer for your Premier League team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 23:00 BST, so teams - and fans - could be in for a late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window, but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

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Ajax have enquired about Sunderland winger Simon Adingra. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says Kevin Danso would be "another solid signing" if the Black Cats can complete their deal for the Spurs defender.

"I think they are sensible signings," he told BBC Radio Newcastle when discussing Danso's likely loan move.

"They're not going to make the blood rush through the veins of Sunderland supporters as far as attacking options or how dynamic they are but you need players like this to build your team around so that the Enzo Le Fees and the [Chris] Riggs and the [Noah] Sadikis can go and be a little bit more expansive.

"So, yes, another solid signing which we've made quite a number of those over the last couple of years."

You can listen to more on Danso above or on BBC Sounds.

We asked you what transfer business Sunderland still need to complete before Tuesday's 23:00 BST deadline.

Here are some of your comments:

Denise: Geny Catamo would be a fantastic signing for us. We also need a consistent goalscorer - someone like Folarin Balogun would be ideal.

Terry: We desperately need another striker! A 'fox in the box' who will put away the chances we keep missing! We need someone who will score at least 15-20 goals a season - eight from our top scorer isn't enough in the Premier League.

Vincent: They need a proven goalscorer we had one of the worst goal differences in the Premier League. Also back-up for Ballard and a winger who can beat a man and cross the ball or we will struggle.

Damian: I would like to see us go after Harvey Elliott. I know there are risks and costs, but I think the potential upside is considerable.

Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor says Sunderland want to continue making the Stadium of Light a fortress after their 1-0 win over Fulham.

"It was important for us to react after last week," said the Haiti international. "I think the same as what Granit [Xhaka] said, it was not Sunderland last week. Not our standard. Not what we want to show to people."

The Black Cats suffered defeat in their opening game of the season in a 2-1 loss to Ipswich. Isidor proved the difference, coming on as a second-half substitute to score the winner against Fulham.

The striker added: "The reaction was good, first from the starting XI and then from the bench players, the finishers we say, was also good. It was important to react.

"We want to build something really strong here in our stadium."

Hear more from Isidor above or on BBC Sounds

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Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele is angry at pundits who are predicting the Black Cats to face relegation from the Premier League this season.

"I hear some things outside that I don't like, that people say again, like we'll go back down," the 28-year-old told BBC Radio Newcastle.

Regis le Bris' side defied the odds last season and not only beat the trend of promoted sides going straight back down, but qualified for the Europa League. Many high-profile pundits, including Alan Shearer and Jamie Carragher, have cited the extra games as a reason they might struggle this time around.

Mukiele added: "They can say what they want. Last season they said that and it was wrong at the end. We will show them, not only for them but for ourselves, for the city of Sunderland and for the fans that we will fight until the end.

"It and it doesn't matter what people will say. The most important is what is inside and we will fight until the end because I truly believe in this team and I know we will become more strong again."

Hear more from Mukiele below or on BBC Sounds