Sunderland's summer transfer frustration as Eduard Spertsyan joins Al-Ahli
Sunderland failed to secure the signing of Eduard Spertsyan this summer, despite serious interest from owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. The Armenian midfielder, who scored 14 goals and provided 18 assists for FC Krasnodar last season, ultimately moved to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli for €21m. The Black Cats had offered a €20m deal but never engaged directly with Krasnodar, with non-football factors cited as the reason for the collapse.
What went wrong in the transfer talks?
According to journalist Anar Ibrahimov, Sunderland’s negotiations were handled by Swiss agent Christoph Grafe, who communicated with Spertsyan’s family. The player was reportedly open to the move despite the lower salary compared to his Saudi deal. However, the lack of direct contact with Krasnodar and unspecified external factors scuppered the transfer. Leeds United and Southampton had also previously shown interest in the 26-year-old.
Why this matters for Sunderland’s squad
Sunderland finished 7th in the Premier League last season with 54 points (14W-12D-12L), scoring 42 goals and conceding 48. Their recent form shows three wins in the last five games (LLWWW), but they lost 4-2 to Liverpool on July 25. The failed Spertsyan deal highlights the challenges of competing with Saudi clubs, who are increasingly luring top talent with lucrative offers.
What’s next for the Black Cats?
With the transfer window still open, Sunderland will likely explore other attacking options. Their next fixture is at home against Leeds United on July 30, where they’ll aim to bounce back from their recent defeat. Manager Régis Le Bris will need to strengthen the squad to maintain their push for European qualification next season.
