Florent Ghisolfi agrees £218m multiple deal – Sunderland’s ideal 25-26 squad gallery after transfer window

Sunderland are pushing forward with their Premier League rebuild – and Florent Ghisolfi is at the heart of it. The Black Cats’ new sporting director has already been linked with transfer business worth up to £218million, with deals including marquee arrivals, shrewd free-agent additions and a record-breaking sale. It marks the most ambitious summer of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ ownership, and a bold statement of intent heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.

Ghisolfi, who turned down Juventus, Newcastle United and clubs in Saudi Arabia to take the Sunderland job, is leading a data-driven recruitment strategy with head coach Régis Le Bris. The pair are looking to build a squad capable not just of surviving in the top flight, but of developing into a long-term Premier League force.

Of course, some speculation this early in the window should be taken with a pinch of salt – but the general direction of travel is clear. Here, we’ve put together a gallery showing what Sunderland’s ideal 25-man Premier League squad could look like once the transfer window is complete. Who stays, who starts, and who still needs replacing? Let’s take a closer look…