Sunderland's Chemsdine Talbi transfer saga remains active as the club handles post-window interest, with Alan Browne's contract demands also coming to light. Head coach Le Bris confirmed the 21-year-old Moroccan winger's omission from the squad for the 1-1 draw with Brentford and the Europa League list was a precautionary move linked to a potential exit.
This news arrives as the Black Cats sit 11th in the Premier League with four points from three games. Their next challenge is a home fixture against third-placed Arsenal on September 12, a match detailed on the club's fixtures page.
Le Bris made a tactical decision to protect the club's European squad registration. "Yes. For Chemsdine, a move remains possible, so we decided to avoid unnecessary risks," the coach stated. With the English transfer window closed, Sunderland cannot register new signings, but they can still sell players to leagues where the window is open. Talbi has been linked with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, and Turkish clubs showed interest before their own deadline passed. No deal has been confirmed, leaving the young international's future at the Stadium of Light unresolved.
Alan Nixon's reporting reveals that midfielder Alan Browne's proposed return to Preston North End collapsed in the closing days of the window. The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who joined Sunderland on a free transfer in 2024 after over a decade and 400 appearances at Preston, wanted a three-year contract. Preston only offered a two-year agreement, leading to the breakdown. Sunderland only became willing to sanction a departure for Browne, whose current deal runs to season's end, late in the window.
The club has a established pathway for testing academy goalkeepers in senior football via loans. Joe Cowan, the established first-choice for the Under-21s, recently signed a new three-year deal. Sunderland's priority is finding a loan destination where he has a realistic chance of playing regularly, following a model used for Anthony Patterson at Notts County and others like Matty Young and Adam Richardson. Any such move must comply with emergency or specialist goalkeeper loan regulations.
Regis Le Bris's side has begun the Premier League season with a win, a draw, and a loss. They have scored three goals and conceded three, leaving them with a zero goal difference. The team is five points behind early leaders Manchester City. Their recent form reads DWL, and the latest standings show the competitive nature of the league. The focus now shifts to preparing for the visit of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side this weekend.
