Sunderland spent big this summer, but what did those signings do to the squad's market value?

Sunderland’s lavish summer spend has paid off so far, with the Black Cats enjoying an excellent start to their Premier League return.

The Black Cats earned promotion back to the top flight for the first time since 2017 last season. To prepare for life back in the top-flight, no fewer than 15 signings were completed, adding serious quality to Regis Le Bris’ ranks.

The early signs show the summer outlay to be worth it, with Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Wolves last time out leaving them seventh after eight games, with four wins and 14 points on the board already. Confidence is sky-high ahead of what will be a challenging fixture away at Chelsea on Saturday. But what did the busy summer window do to the market value of Sunderland’s squad, and how does it compare to their Premier League rivals?

How does Sunderland’s market value compare to Premier League rivals

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris | Frank Reid

placeholder image — Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris | Frank Reid

Per Transfermarkt data, Sunderland now have 36 players in the senior squad, which is at least four more than any other Premier League team. However, they only carry an average market value of €9.44m. The most valuable player is attacking midfielder Habib Diarra at €32m, while the least valuable is young centre-back Zak Johnson at just €75k.

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Altogether, the market value of Sunderland’s squad stands at €340m, which is up 139.5% from the €141.98m it was worth just before they beat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final. However, and perhaps surprisingly, that still leaves them third-bottom in the Premier League, above fellow newly-promoted sides Burnley (€247.15m) and Leeds United (€316.10m), but behind Fulham (€374m).

It’ll come as little surprise to see Arsenal (€1.31bn), Manchester City (€1.21bn), Liverpool (€1.15bn) and Chelsea (€1.14bn) as the only four Premier League sides with squad market values over the €1bn mark.

Arsenal - €1.31bn
Man City - €1.21bn
Liverpool - €1.15bn
Chelsea - 1.14bn
Tottenham - €920.60m
Newcastle - €750.15m
Man Utd - €730.20m
Nottingham Forest - €644.40m
Aston Villa - €546m
Brighton - €520.60m
Crystal Palace - €484.45m
Bournemouth - €448.40m
Brentford - €431.90m
Everton - €414.60m
West Ham - €400.80m
Wolves - €376.60m
Fulham - €374m
sunderland">Sunderland - €340m
Leeds - €316.10m
Burnley - €247.15m

Who are Sunderland’s most valuable players?

Sunderland midfielders Habib Diarra and Granit Xhaka | Getty Images

As mentioned, Diarra is Sunderland’s most valuable player at €32m, but he’s just one of seven players in Le Bris’ squad worth €20m or more. Granit Xhaka does not figure in that list, despite being arguably the most high-profile arrival of the summer. However, the Switzerland international’s €12m market value is dictated largely by his age, having turned 33 years old last month.

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