Sunderland are braced for interest in key players after a brilliant season back at Premier League level

Régis Le Bris believes Sunderland will not lose the core of their team this summer even if their impressive form attracts interest from elite Premier League and European clubs.

Brian Brobbey became the latest player to be linked with a summer switch as a result of their strong recent performances this week, with The Independent reporting that Bayern Munich are tracking his progress. Sunderland have long been clear that occasional player sales are likely both in terms of bolstering the club's financial position but more importantly in ensuring they remain an attractive destination for top talent. So while a sale is possible, Le Bris believes the club will be able to ensure stability heading into next season.

“We never know what will happen because the market is so unpredictable," Le Bris said.

"If that happens [interest in players] it is a positive consequence of the work we have done together this season. We will see what happens. But I think we don’t want to change a whole team, that is important. That is a big thing for us. I think Kyril is really clear on that. He is still ambitious and he doesn’t want to sell 50 per cent of the squad. That doesn’t make sense. After that, you have to respect the market and the journey that everyone is on. We will make our decisions at the right time."

Sunderland could be handed both a huge opportunity and a headache if the club does qualify for Europe this season, as the scheduling demands would undoubtedly mean a larger squad would be required. UEFA's financial rules are also stricter, limiting clubs to spending 70% of their revenues on squad costs.

Le Bris said the club were not at this stage planning actively for that scenario, but said the improved structure now in place means they will be able to move decisively this summer whatever the outcome of the campaign. Director of football Florent Ghisolfi has been working in recent months to revamp the club's scouting and recruitment departments, and Le Bris says they will be ready for the summer window.

“It’s a bit early [to be focusing on summer transfer work] but the structure is well set-up now," Le Bris said.

"I think we are really well organised in the recruitment structure, which wasn’t the case last season. We started the summer late, although finally we were ready for the Premier League. We don’t need to rush the process now in terms of coming to a decision about signings. Let’s wait until the last minute of the last game, then we will see where it goes. According to the outcome, we will be ready as a club and an organisation to make our decisions at that time."

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What Florent Ghisolfi has said about the summer transfer window

“For the summer, we will improve the team, of course, we'll try but you never know,” Ghisolfi said earlier this month.

“We'll try but I think the stability will be the most important thing. The same idea as in the winter, I think will be very important. We want to build a sustainable club, this is the first thing but he second thing is we don't need to sell for that because of the Premier League revenues.

“Of course, we will sell, sometimes, some players. Because also, we spoke about cycles with players, and I think it's important when we want to attract young and talented players, we need also to show that if they come to Sunderland it's not always the final destination. If they want to step up in a top club in the future of course we'll have to do [it sometimes], but we don't have the pressure for that.”

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