Sunderland

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Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says the club will look to continue to make the "correct decisions" when addressing the future of Jobe Bellingham.

The midfielder is reportedly of interest to Borussia Dortmund, though Sunderland have not received any formal offer for his services yet.

Asked by BBC Radio Newcastle about the links, Speakman said: "I can't say anything on that situation. We've got to be really clear moving forward, we all know how big Sunderland is. What we can't start doing is speculating on every single player, every potential trade. Once we know where we are with certain players and things can be defined then obviously we'll try to be public on that.

"The context of every situation is different. You have to bear that in mind with all the players you're dealing with, they're all humans, they've all got their own aspirations. Obviously we've got a collective number of players at the moment that have bought into what Sunderland is and through that collective and that connection with everyone we've managed to build a successful team that's got back into the Premier League.

"So when you do my kind of job, Regis's kind of job, you have to consider all those pieces and then you have to come up with the right answer and thankfully over the last few years we've made more correct decisions than wrong decisions and we've got try and continue that".

Listen to the interview

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Sunderland have announced their retained list for the 2025-26 season.

Chris Mepham will return to Bournemouth and Salis Abdul Samed is going back to Lens, following their season-long loans at the Stadium of Light.

The pair played a combined 51 games for the Black Cats.

Winger Tommy Watson's £10m move to Brighton was confirmed in April.

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It is "a little bit surprising" that Jobe Bellingham could be leaving Sunderland after they were promoted to the Premier League, says The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein.

Bellingham could follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jude, by moving to Borussia Dortmund, with the Bundesliga side confident of securing his signature.

Having been such a key part of their promotion from the Championship - making 43 appearances across the season - many Black Cats fans would have been hoping to see the 19-year-old playing for them in the top flight.

"It is maybe a little bit surprising as Sunderland have just won promotion to the Premier League, he was one of their standout players and in the Championship team of the season," Ornstein told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"But, we have seen what a happy hunting ground the Bundesliga is for many English players, including most prominently his brother.

"Eintracht Frankfurt are also keen and there will be many suitors for such an impressive young player.

"We will have to see what the next few days bring, but it will be a blow for Sunderland. However, the Bellinghams seem to have their head screwed on when it comes to planning their career path."

Still on a high from Sunderland's memorable season? We have got you covered.

The BBC's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes reviews the 2024-25 season with a game-by-game guide of the Black Cats' journey back to the Premier League.

Listen to it here on BBC Sounds

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Enzo le Fee says he and Sunderland "get to take the next step" together after it was confirmed the midfielder's six-month loan move from Roma will be made permanent following promotion to the Premier League.

The 25-year-old immediately became a key part of the Black Cats' squad after arriving from the Serie A giants in January and made 18 appearances, culminating in the play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley.

Le Fee made it clear he found a home in the North East and was keen to stay as soon as promotion to the top flight was secured.

"I said before the play-off final that my heart was in Sunderland – I wanted to stay, and this made it the most important game of my life," he said.

"Together, we did it. From the moment I arrived, I have enjoyed my football, my team-mates and our supporters. We shared an incredible experience, and now we get to take the next step.

"There are greater challenges ahead, but we must face them together, and I can't wait to play for Sunderland in the Premier League."

Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: "In Enzo, we knew we were acquiring a very high-level player who could be influential in critical moments - the moments that change the outcome of games and seasons.

"He's been a big part of our success, so we're delighted that he's signing permanently and joining us in the Premier League. Above all else, he's been a team player, and following our play-off final victory, I think everyone could see exactly what the club means to him."

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After an eight-year absence, Sunderland are back in the Premier League and attention is already turning to the new season ahead.

Over the summer, your Black Cats club page will be bringing you all the latest news, views and updates around transfers, players and the club.

So, with that in mind, we want to know what you would like to know about Sunderland this summer.

Is there a player you want to know more about? Information on pre-season? What the club's plans might be in the transfer window?

Let us know here and we will do our best to find out

If you haven't already, if you're on the BBC Sport app, tap the bell icon and sign up for news alerts to make sure you do not miss a beat.

And if signed in on a browser, hit 'Follow' at the top of this page and you will start seeing more content about your club on your BBC Sport homepage.

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha has given us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club throughout this season.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

Maybe ask him who should be on your club's radar this summer, or where a rumoured target or new signing might fit into the team.

Perhaps see what he thinks about how successful a new recruit might be, who it is vital to keep, or what is needed to make next season a success.

Send in your questions here and we'll put a selection to him

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

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Having been in the Championship for two years out of the past three, Burnley may need to be conservative with their PSR loss limited to £61m.

Aside from Sunderland, the Clarets are the only Premier League side yet to go above the £20m mark in a single player purchase.

The Black Cats' return to the top flight via the play-offs comes with the knowledge they will be able to reinforce significantly for the step up in class that awaits.

Enzo le Fee's loan move from Roma in January included an obligation-to-buy clause and the French midfielder could well kick-start a recruitment drive with Sunderland in good financial shape.

"Since being relegated from the Premier League in 2017, Sunderland have not spent more than £10m in a single year on player signings, despite receiving parachute payments, and they have only made losses of £18m in the last two seasons," said football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

Leeds, who finished top of the second tier are in a less fortunate position.

"They will have to box clever in terms of recruitment," continued Maguire.

"Spending £100m is just about feasible."

Read more about the early transfer window and what each Premier League club can spend this summer

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We asked you to tell us what Sunderland need to do in the summer transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Craig: We need strengthening through experience. But particularly experienced players who understand why they are being brought to the club - players who see their role as mentors and coaches for young players. Names like Jordan Henderson or Henderson-like characters are exactly what we need. I think we also need a goalkeeper, centre-forward and cover in full-back positions.

David: Unfortunately, it is going to take more than one transfer window to put a squad together able to be competitive in the Premier League. Arguably, not one of our players is currently ready - though, of course, they may step up again. Priority is probably another goalscorer who is happy to get on the end of crosses and a bit more sharpness and pace in midfield, together with a top left-back. It is also important we continue with the current recruitment model, with perhaps the addition of some experience, like Henderson.

Ed: Would love to see Jamie Vardy join. His experience and goalscoring are exactly what the squad needs.

Brian: I'd love to see Henderson back with us as he hasn't had the best of times at Ajax. I also think we need to sign Enzo Le Fee because he's been revolutionary for us since joining us in January from Roma. I hope we put in an offer for Amad Diallo to come back to us. He was brilliant for us in his last spell. I'd like to see us get a better back-up goalkeeper just in case Patterson gets injured.

Nigel: Premier League experience is a must to help build the confidence of the young team. Henderson is mentioned, but we should look to strengthen all areas - Jonny Evans and Aaron Cresswell in defence are both available on frees. Keep Mepham. Jack Clarke and Omari Hutchinson have Premier League experience with Ipswich and would complement the squad. And , like all clubs, we need a 15-20 goal striker.

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The transfer window opens on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.

With Sunderland heading into the Premier League, are there certain players you are desperate for them to sign, or an area of the squad that needs improving? Or maybe holding on to a key player is your biggest priority.

And what about sales - who needs to go?

So over to you... what names need bringing in and shipping out?

Let us know here

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The BBC's Ask Me Anything team have done all of the research ahead of the announcement detailing next season's Premier League matches.

The fixtures for the 2025-26 season will be released at 09:00 BST on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 and the release will include the weekly schedule of all 380 matches.

The season will begin with a single fixture played on Friday, 15 August 2025 and conclude on Sunday, 24 May 2026, when all matches will be played at 16:00 BST. There will be 33 weekend rounds of fixtures, plus five midweek rounds.

The exact date and time at which individual matches are played during each weekend will be determined at regular intervals throughout the season, based on TV selections made by broadcasters.

Read the full article here

England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, could leave Dutch club Ajax and make a stunning return to hometown club Sunderland this summer. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sunderland have been chosen as the Team of the Season by the pundits on the 72+ EFL podcast.

After guiding the Black Cats to promotion via a dramatic play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday, head coach Regis Le Bris was singled out for praise, though he missed out on the Manager of the Season accolade to Charlton's Nathan Jones.

Pundit Jobi McAnuff said: "If you're talking about who has overachieved this season you have to have Regis Le Bris up there because nobody would have had Sunderland getting promoted this season given the model of the club, such a young squad and a manager that was untested in this country. Sensational."

The panel were in agreement on Sunderland being the team of the season, however, with McAnuff saying: "A young team, looked as though they had run their race, went on a really bad patch of form but regrouped, got themselves together and had a couple of iconic EFL moments down the stretch - Dan Ballard's last minute winner and Tommy Watson's finish in the final."

Lyle Taylor added: "Let's go with Sunderland. They are back at the top table after eight years away and did it in a really interesting and alternative way."

Click here to listen to the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast via BBC Sounds.

Marco Gabbiadini has joined the list of Sunderland pundits pushing for Jordan Henderson to return to his boyhood club following the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League.

The former striker told BBC Radio Newcastle, "He must be doing okay because he's still in the England squad, isn't he? I haven't seen any film or anything, but he must be doing alright if they're watching him and he's got picked in the next England squad.

"It would be a sort of a fairy tale, wouldn't it? And it does happen sometimes," he added.

"He's been an outstanding player. He's gone on to be one of the best players in the country at times and win the top trophies, so I think he probably would be an asset. It probably goes a little bit against what the club is all about at the moment, but maybe they will make some exceptions for when we get in the top flight."

When asked about realistic options Sunderland could sign this summer, Gabbiadini struggled because of the unknown approach sporting director Kristjaan Speakman will take. Will they continue showing faith in youth, or will Kyril Louis-Dreyfus dig deep into his wealth to try to lure stars to the Stadium of Light?

He said: "I think we might be looking for players if we are going to spend - and this is the big question - someone like Mason Mount at Man United, who they've got such a turnover of players and huge numbers and they're looking to change that again this year.

"He's a player who's got massive potential, I think. Maybe he hasn't fully reached it. Those kinds of players would be great for us."

Sunderland have been the youngest side in the Championship this season and are likely to repeat that feat in the Premier League next season but Gabbiadini would push for some veterans to join the ranks.

"Obviously, Mepham's got some Premier League experience. You would think at the back we're not too bad, but I think an influential midfielder and somebody who's a goalscorer, whether that's a 10 or a striker. Obviously we've got Le Fee on a permanent deal now as well."

"I think the lad Delap is decent as well if he wanted to stay in the Premier League, but it looks like he's going to get a shot at one of the big clubs, isn't it?

"We see it with so many young English players. They go to a Chelsea and you don't see them for a couple of years.

"Mason Mount's probably had some injury problems as well, but it's a big group. When you come back from injury, you've got a lot of players in front of you. It does make a lot of sense to me to come to a club where you will start."

Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Arguably the most dramatic moment involving the Premier League at the weekend, happened in the Championship playoffs when Sunderland magically gained promotion in the 95th-minute of the final at Wembley.

Tom Watson's fabulous goal may be one of the most lucrative strikes in football history considering the money Sunderland will now bank. Tom could just as likely have seen the keeper read the shot a mere millisecond quicker and Michael Cooper would have tipped it round the post, but the keeper was short by a centimetre. Luck and skill together determining all in an instant.

Another Tom Watson, this time the golfer, holed a chip on the 17th at Pebble beach in the 1982 US Open and it was just as iconic. Had Tom's chip been a centimetre to the left or right and not hit the flag then dropped in, a two putt was almost certain. Jack Nicklaus would have caught him, he might not have become champion and history would have changed.

This is why great sport is irresistible. The skill, the luck and the tiny margins change life courses and produce memories and passions never to be forgotten.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin has expressed his joy at being part of the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League.

Regis Le Bris' side beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final thanks to Tommy Watson's 95th-minute winner.

After the trophy lift and celebrations, left-back Cirkin returned to the Wembley pitch to reflect on his success.

"I've been here before and it's special," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "It's really, really special, to take it all in and think about the whole season.

"On a personal note, it's been a tough season off and on the pitch, highs and lows, but there's one job that we had in mind and one purpose and that was the Premier League. I'm just so, so glad I got to be part of it."

Cirkin suffered a wrist fracture in November and another injury then prevented him from taking up an England Under-21 call-up in March. He missed six of Sunderland's last eight games of the regular Championship season.

"Injuries are just a small part of it," he said. "There's a lot that's happened off the pitch. A lot of things I've learned from.

"With my wrist as well, I've been playing with a broken wrist which was not ideal, but I'm glad I could play a part in it because since I joined this club that's the one dream that I had and now it's on to the next and that's stay in there."

The former Tottenham man joined Sunderland in 2021 as a 19-year-old who Jose Mourinho described as a player with "a lot of quality."

Born in Ireland and raised in London, he's quickly learned how important Premier League football is in his new home on Wearside.

"It means so much more than anything else to put a smile on their faces, to get this city back to where it belongs," he added.

"I know how much it means, how much it unifies the people and it means a lot to me. When people come up to you, you can just tell in their voice and the way they come up to you, it means so much to them and you can see it. That's the greatest pleasure I can have.

"For my family, for my friends, for the city, to see everyone positive, happy, there's no feeling like it. Back to the Premier League is where this club belongs."

Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds.

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Former Sunderland forward Marco Gabbiadini can understand why midfield sensation Jobe Bellingham would want to move to Germany this summer.

Bellingham has appeared to take a similar pathway to his brother Jude Bellingham and has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga.

"He's been very good for us this year, and I thought he was the player that kept it together in that big game at the weekend," Gabbiadini said to BBC Radio Tyne and Wear. "He was the one who when it was difficult in that first half, he came out of it glowing and was even better in the second half.

"Do I think he's as good as his brother? Not from what I've seen so far. But there is nothing wrong with that. If he's 80% as good as his brother, he will still be a very good footballer. So in some respects, let it be, let it progress as he wants.

"I can understand the Germany connection. I suppose the Bundesliga is somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League, isn't it? It's a way of stepping up, maybe a little bit of less pressure. There are some financial advantages of going abroad as well, the way moves can be made through the agents, etc.

"It was a bit of a surprise when he came to Sunderland. Not because we weren't a big enough club, but because he was such a hot talent. Birmingham were in a similar position to us in the league, it wasn't a massive step up at that stage."