Sunderland are fast approaching the start of the new season.
Sunderland play Cardiff City in their opening game of the 2024/25 Championship season.
The Black Cats though have one more friendly to play before then; a game against Marseille at Valley Parade this weekend.
New boss Regis Le Bris will be keen to hit the ground running and ease any initial concerns that he’s the right man to pick up the pieces from last season.
So far this summer, Kristjaan Speakman has welcomed three new players to the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland signing Ian Poveda last month.
Here we look ahead to what August might have in store for the Black Cats…
Sunderland striker search set to heat up
Once again, Speakman is in the transfer market for a new striker or two, with Sunderland interested in Alexandre Mendy at Caen.
A deal for the Guinean appears to have its stumbling blocks and so Sunderland fans won’t count on seeing last season’s Ligue 2 Golden Boot winner in red and white next season.
Sunderland are also said to have had an interest in Zan Vipotnik who’s now a free agent, though their current interest in the Slovenian international has since been played.
Premier League interest in Sunderland stars could intensify
It’s no secret that Sunderland have a lot of in demand players in their first-team squad right now.
It’s of course a credit to Speakman for sourcing them, bringing them in and then sticking firm to the club’s valuation of certain players.
So far this summer, all of Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg, Pierre Ekwah, and Jack Clarke have had links to the Premier League or overseas, with some links stronger than others.
With the summer transfer window closing for business on August 30th, clubs could soon start to intensify plans to sign new players, which could cause Sunderland some nerves in August.
Regis Le Bris initial verdict among Sunderland fans
Le Bris looks like more of a longer-term appointment for Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, compared to the likes of Alex Neil and Tony Mowbray.
So in that sense, Le Bris looks like he’ll get a bit more time to get his ideas across. Though having never managed in England, it’s certainly going to be a learning curve for the Frenchman.
And among Sunderland fans, there’ll surely be a bit of leeway with regards to Le Bris.
But as ever, fans want to see good results and good football. Sunderland still boast a very strong first-team squad and with a couple of additions – on paper anyway – the Black Cats should be right up there.
If Sunderland start poorly then matters could quickly become testing for Le Bris
Loan exits at Sunderland
In the last month of the summer transfer window, Sunderland look set to loan out several first-team players.
Following their omission in the pre-season defeat vs Bradford City on Tuesday, Sunderland duo Jewison Bennette an Jay Matete have been tipped to leave on loan this summer.
Youngster Joe Anderson is also backed to possibly leave on loan, whilst Kilmarnock are interested in Oliver Bainbridge.
Then there’s the likes of Luis Hemir and Eliezer Mayenda, whose possible loan exits this summer may hinge on whether or not Sunderland sign another striker.
Backroom team additions at Sunderland
Regis Le Bris is yet to add to his Sunderland backroom team since taking charge earlier this summer.
Reports soon after his arrival tipped the 48-year-old to bring in some outside names, although that’s yet to happen, with more recent reports suggesting that Le Bris was relaxed on the subject.
Potentially depending on how Sunderland fare in their opening two or three games of the Championship season, Le Bris may look to bring a familiar, or even an unfamiliar but experienced name to the club.