Sunderland have concluded their summer transfer business but could still add major talent by targeting high-profile free agents. Several stars, including former Premier League champions and Champions League winners, are available without a transfer fee after the closure of the window earlier this week.
Regis Le Bris's side, currently 11th in the Premier League with three points from two games, secured two deadline-day deals. They won the race to sign 18-year-old Ecuador youth international striker Juan Riquelme Angulo on a five-year contract and landed Lyon winger Malick Fofana, seeing off competition from Crystal Palace. These additions have boosted the manager's options as the Black Cats prepare for a key season.
A host of experienced and decorated players remain unattached after their contracts expired this summer. Any move for these free agents would be contingent on space in Sunderland's 25-man Premier League squad; otherwise, a new signing would have to wait until the January registration period to play.
Leading the list of available talent is Jadon Sancho, who is a free agent after leaving Manchester United. Another notable name is Ismael Bennacer, the 28-year-old Algeria international midfielder who spent seven years at AC Milan with loan spells at Dinamo Zagreb, Empoli, and Marseille.
Riyad Mahrez, a five-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner, is also on the market after leaving Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli last month. Fellow winger Wilfried Zaha, who made over 450 appearances for Crystal Palace across two spells, is available after departing Turkish side Galatasaray.
The potential additions offer a wealth of top-level experience. Defender David Alaba, a free agent after leaving Real Madrid, has won ten Bundesliga titles, two La Liga crowns, and the Champions League four times.
Georginio Wijnaldum, a Premier League and Champions League winner with Liverpool, is also unattached after three years with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. In defence, Adam Webster is available after a successful seven-year spell at Brighton and Hove Albion where he made over 150 appearances. Portuguese centre-back Diogo Leite, who has 26 combined appearances in the Champions League and Europa League for Porto and Union Berlin, is another option.
The Black Cats have started the season with a win and a loss, scoring two goals and conceding two. Their next challenge is a significant one, hosting second-placed Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on September 12th. Integrating a player of proven quality could provide a major lift for that fixture and beyond.
While the focus is now on the existing group, the club's management will be aware that the free-agent market offers a unique opportunity. The squad list on our squad page shows the current options available to Le Bris. Any further additions before January would need to fit within the strict Premier League squad limits.
Free agents can be signed outside the transfer window, but their eligibility to play is governed by registration periods. If Sunderland have space in their submitted 25-man squad, a new signing could feature immediately. If the squad is full, the player would have to wait until the next registration window opens in the new year to be registered for first-team football.
This makes any potential move a strategic decision, balancing immediate need against the quality available. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches, including the Arsenal clash, on our fixtures page. The club's current position of 11th, three points behind leaders Manchester City, is detailed in the latest standings.
Sunderland's summer activity concluded with the signing of Juan Riquelme Angulo to a five-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
