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Follow transfer deadline daypublished at 06:45 BST 1 September
06:45 BST 1 September
Today is the second transfer deadline day of the summer following a brief closure in June because of the Club World Cup.
In a change to previous windows, clubs only have until 19:00 BST to complete deals, bringing the Premier League in line with the EFL, Italy's Serie A, France's Ligue 1 and Germany's Bundesliga. The window in Scotland and Spain remains open until 23:00 BST.
It has already been a hectic window - with a number of storylines still to be resolved - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.
'We showed great character' to beat Brentford - Roefspublished at 06:10 BST 1 September
06:10 BST 1 September
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs praised the teams "great character" as they scored two late goals to beat Brentford at the Stadium of Light.
It is only the second time the Black Cats have won their first two home games in the Premier League, with the other occasion being in 2001-02 under Peter Reid.
"It has been a really great start," Roefs told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Before the season started, everyone would have been really happy with six points from three games.
"I am so happy that we could turn the game around and that's because we showed great character as a team.
"We are going to go game by game as everything in the Premier League is really difficult.
"We will prepare like every other game to play Crystal Palace [after the international break] because we have to be really sharp.
"Our character is our strong point as a team so we have to keep that and not take it easy because we have had a good start."
Sunderland 2-1 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 14:30 BST 31 August
14:30 BST 31 August
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
Sunderland fans
Ian: Three points for a dogged performance. Never stopped running and trying after a stalemate first half. Some new Sunderland heroes in the making.
Michael: Fantastic result even if the performance wasn't our best. The centre-backs were superb. Even though Reinildo gave away the penalty, I thought he was outstanding. Granit Xhaka, again, controlled the midfield. Six points after three games is a brilliant return.
Reece: We rode our luck at times but the team showed they have real fight in them. Excellent performance from Nordi Mukiele stepping in to cover for Dan Ballard's absence.
Ronnie: The slogan going into the play-offs last season was "'Til The End" and we embodied that in all three play-off games. Against Brentford, Sunderland provided more evidence of the refusal to give up which personifies their recent attitude. Pride in the shirt is woven into the new signings and the Stadium of Light might prove a challenging environment for some this season.
Brentford fans
George: It is hard not to fixate on the decision to hand the ball to Kevin Schade for the penalty. I imagine the intention was to boost his confidence and give him his first goal of the season, but that has now squarely backfired. I worry for his confidence going into our next game.
Andy: When you don't take the opportunities given to you in the Premier League, you get punished - and that's what happened to us.
James: Our inability to close out a game from a winning position comes to the forefront once again. Schade - to my knowledge - has never taken a penalty for us before. Why then? Igor Thiago should be the designated penalty-taker.
Paul: Poor again away from home. Such bad game management again at the end of a game. I don't know what the answer is, but I'm not looking forward to the season ahead. It's going to be a long one.
'Beware of 12th man' at Stadium of Lightpublished at 10:34 BST 31 August
10:34 BST 31 August
Eilidh Barbour Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland's victory over Brentford won't be described as a classic, but there is more than one way to win a game of football and a trip to the Stadium of Light isn't going to be a walk in the park this season.
There may have been misplaced passes, questionable decision-making and a lack of real potency in the final third for the home team, but they more than made up for it with determination, desire, work-rate and a vibrant, noisy home support that gets right behind their team.
Those are the qualities that got them over the line with a 95th-minute winner to make it two wins from two on their own patch.
For teams making their way to this part of the world, beware of the 12th man.
Black Cats get reward for perseverancepublished at 20:31 BST 30 August
20:31 BST 30 August
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Reghis le Bris will be delighted by the heart and perseverance his side showed in the closing stages of their win over Brentford.
His revamped Sunderland side enjoyed the better of the early stages with Nordi Mukiele driving a rising effort over the bar on his Premier League debut.
But despite exhibiting plenty of enterprise, that rarely translated to opportunities in front of goal.
Until Enzo le Fee's 82nd-minute penalty the hosts had managed just one shot on target, with their final ball and finishing lacking the quality and conviction to trouble Brentford.
Yet that was enough to provide the crowd with the fuel to spur their team on to a second home win of the season and deliver a valuable return of six points.
Sunderland 2-1 Brentford: What Le Bris saidpublished at 19:09 BST 30 August
19:09 BST 30 August
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Sunderland boss Regis le Bris speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-1 win over Brentford: "At the end it was emotional for Sunderland. It was the case last season and it is already this season.
"It was not an easy game. It was a bit tough and the team reacted really well."
On Wilson Isidor: "Wilson is really well connected with the club. He had a happy day yesterday and another one today and he worked so hard. He deserved this moment. He flew yesterday evening and was ready to go this morning."
On the penalties: "We still have to learn the new rules. In the boxes it is a battle on set-pieces.
"We have to understand what is allowed and what is not. The balance is positive for us."
Did you know?
Wilson Isidor's goal on 95 minutes and 17 seconds was Sunderland's second-latest winner in the Premier League, after March 2008 against West Ham (95 minutes and 24 seconds).
Isidor is the second Sunderland player to score in both of his first two Premier League home appearances, after Steven Fletcher in September 2012.
Sunderland v Brentford: Team newspublished at 14:02 BST 30 August
14:02 BST 30 August
Sunderland make two changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Burnley in the Premier League last weekend. Nordi Mukiele and Enzo Le Fee both start in place of the injured Dan Ballard and Simon Adingra.
Sutton's predictions: Sunderland v Brentfordpublished at 11:03 BST 30 August
11:03 BST 30 August
Sunderland had that brilliant start against West Ham and they had a tight game with Burnley. I thought it'd be a draw but Burnley ultimately got the win.
Brentford played very well at Aston Villa and deserved their win in what was a massive result for Keith Andrews.
I've said before I know people have written Brentford off but they are an experienced, battle-hardened Premier League side. I think their win last week would've done them the world of good. They should win again on Saturday.
Sunderland v Brentford: key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:23 BST 29 August
19:23 BST 29 August
Tom White BBC Sport journalist
Sunderland and Brentford meet in matchround three with both sides aiming to secure their second Premier League win of the season. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's fixture at the Stadium of Light.
New kids on the block
For the first time since May 2023, the Premier League's bottom three contains no promoted teams from last season's Championship.
All three of Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley have won one of their opening two league games of the campaign – a feat that took last season's trio until November to achieve.
The signs, therefore, look positive that perhaps for the first time in three years at least one of the promoted sides can avoid relegation.
Home form key for Sunderland
This summer has seen 12 new signings arrive at the Stadium of Light for an initial expense of over £140m and head coach Régis Le Bris admitted after last week's defeat to Burnley that his side needed to "learn and grow", emphasising the fact that his new-look team "struggled to create rhythm in the final third".
If they are to succeed in their objective of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier the Black Cats will likely need to rely on their home form.
A vociferous backing of 46,000 Mackems drove Les Bris' side to a 3-0 victory against West Ham on the opening day to get them off to the perfect start.
However, last season in the Championship the North East side won just 12 of 23 matches in their own stadium, leaving them with just the sixth best home record in the division.
Image caption,
Sunderland may need to improve their home form to survive this season
Brentford win - but without the ball
Brentford, meanwhile, found their own home comforts last week, beating Aston Villa 1-0 to ease the initial concerns that followed their 3-1 opening day defeat at Nottingham Forest.
In a game that boss Keith Andrews hailed as "scrappy, ugly…..and I loved it", Brentford showed their resilience was still evident after substantial summer departures.
The Bees made just 178 passes to Villa's 587 while enjoying only 24% possession, their lowest ever in a Premier League victory and the 18th lowest share of any winning side in the competition. They averaged 47% possession when winning matches in the Premier League last season.
Image caption,
Brentford's style of play was different in their win against Aston Villa
Despite defeat at Forest, no team have won more points away from home in 2025 than Brentford's 23, with seven wins the club's joint-most ever in a top-flight calendar year away from home.
Ballard & Spencer out of NI's World Cup qualifierspublished at 17:45 BST 29 August
17:45 BST 29 August
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Dan Ballard and Brodie Spencer will miss the away World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany through injury
Northern Ireland defenders Daniel Ballard and Brodie Spencer have been ruled out of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers away to Luxembourg and Germany.
Sunderland's Ballard was forced off in the first half of his side's 2-0 loss against Burnley on Saturday, while Spencer was injured in Oxford United's 6-0 Carabao Cup defeat against Brighton on Wednesday.
It is a further blow for boss Michael O'Neill, who is already without goalkeepers Pierce Charles and Conor Hazard as well as defender Ciaron Brown and midfielder Jordan Thompson through injury.
O'Neill has called up uncapped trio Kofi Balmer, Ryan Johnson and Jamie McDonnell as replacements and further cover.
Motherwell defender Balmer, 24, has made 20 appearances for Northern Ireland's Under-21 side and been called up to the senior squad on six occasions without making an appearance.
Johnson, a 28-year-old centre-back at League One AFC Wimbledon, receives his first senior call after featuring for Northern Ireland at under-21 level.
Midfielder McDonnell is currently on loan at League One side Mansfield Town from Premier League side Nottingham Forest, who took the 21-year-old from Irish Premiership side Glentoran in 2020.
He has represented his country at under-17 and under-21 level.
Northern Ireland begin their World Cup qualifying campaign in Luxembourg on Thursday, 4 September.
They travel to Cologne to take on Germany in their second Group A game on Sunday, 7 September.
Le Bris on Mayenda 'support', transfer window and 'strength' from fanspublished at 15:52 BST 29 August
15:52 BST 29 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Le Bris confirmed there are no new injuries in the squad to add to Dan Ballard's: "At the moment we have 15-16 potential starters available for the match. So, tomorrow we start with 11 and maybe finish with three, four or five more players from the squad."
On how Eliezer Mayenda is after missing key chances against Burnley: "He is OK. It is part of the process. If we think about last season, it started like that - with one or two missed big chances - but finally was really good. Strikers and players in other positions can make mistakes, or a goalkeeper can make big saves. Stay confident and support him and it will be OK."
On possible incomings and outgoings before Monday's transfer window deadline: "For ins, we have to wait. For outs, probably will have an option for Ahmed [Abdullahi] so we expect to leave on loan. For others, it is still the same principle. Last couple days is crazy. Other clubs are just waiting to decide last minute."
Le Bris said there is still "one or two positions" he would like to add to but is "happy" with his squad: "The amount of work is huge [this summer]. Not an easy challenge. Connection with players now is good. They understand identity of the club, the connection with team-mates."
On the importance of home support for survival this season: "They are a key pillar of our identity. Sunderland is made with this support. If we don't use it properly then it doesn't make sense. If our fans recognise this identity, the willingness, the togetherness – they are happier when we win and that is fair, but we know this won't be possible every time. If we are connected with this ambition and commitment, it will be a massive strength for us."
On if bouncing back against Brentford is first test of his team's resilience: "This is the next game. Whether it is a win or a defeat, you always have to reset. The situation of the two games was very different. The most important thing in football is to stay adaptive, be ready to manage anything and be ready to go again with this idea."
Rigg signs new-long term deal published at 13:59 BST 28 August
13:59 BST 28 August
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg is "absolutely buzzing" after signing a new contract, which will see him stay at the Stadium of Light until 2030.
The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut last week in the 3-0 win over West Ham.
He has made 74 senior appearances for the club overall, including playing a crucial part in the Black Cats return to the top flight and is the youngest outfield debutant in Sunderland's history.
He also won the Championship apprentice of the year award in 2024.
"There was only ever one ambition I had, and that was to agree a long-term deal here", Rigg said.
"It's been an incredible journey since I made my debut at 15, and I love playing here and being here every day, so I'm absolutely buzzing.
"The past couple of years have flown by - it only feels like yesterday that I made my Championship debut, and a couple of weeks ago I made my Premier League debut.
"It feels unreal, and I couldn't have asked for more. I'm so thankful to everyone who has helped me, and I'm so proud to be part of this team and this club."
Gossip: Sunderland hope to bring in Aguerdpublished at 08:25 BST 28 August
08:25 BST 28 August
Sunderland hope to convince West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd, 29, to join them but Marseille, AC Milan and AS Roma are all interested in the Morocco international. (Footmercato - in French), external
The Premier League newcomers have also made a new offer worth £24m to Bologna for 27-year-old Colombia defender Jhon Lucumi. (Sky Sports), external
Sunderland knocked out - fan viewspublished at 12:06 BST 27 August
12:06 BST 27 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Tuesday's EFL Cup match between Sunderland and Huddersfield Town.
Here are some of your comments:
David: Dreadful performance overall and a poor example for the rest of the squad. Winning is infectious - losing also. We have too many poor players.
Alan: This manager changes entire teams from one day to the next! Recipe for failure in the greatest league in the world. The Premier League will take us apart by trying to play untried teams in each game and then changing again.
Nigel: Poor first half. Much better second without too much cutting edge. Well done to Huddersfield, they played well and defended resolutely. The result shows the recruitment was much needed in the summer as this group of largely last year's team are too lightweight. Some bright spots but don't see too many kicking the first team door down. Disappointed our on-loan number nine didn't take a penalty.
Jennifer: They are slipping back into their old ways. They have to make shots on goal count. They definitely need a striker for the team or they will be going back down to the Championship again.
Ballard set to miss NI's World Cup qualifierspublished at 11:05 BST 27 August
11:05 BST 27 August
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Ballard went off injury in the first half of Sunderland's defeat against Burnley on Saturday
Defender Daniel Ballard is set to miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany next month through injury.
The 25-year-old was forced off during the first half of Sunderland’s 2-0 defeat against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Speaking after the Black Cats’ Carabao Cup loss against Huddersfield on Tuesday, their boss Regis Le Bris said while the concern was not "long-term", Ballard does face a spell on the sidelines.
"It's not too serious so we expect him to be out for two to three weeks," he told the club’s website.
Northern Ireland are away to Luxembourg on 4 September and face Germany in Cologne three days later.
Michael O’Neill is already without first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who pulled out of the squad after injuring his shoulder when in action for Sheffield Wednesday.
'We struggled to find our rhythm'published at 07:59 BST 27 August
07:59 BST 27 August
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, speaking after the Black Cats were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Huddersfield Town:
"I am disappointed because we wanted to win.
"Huddersfield played with passion, and they scored a fantastic goal in the first half.
"We were not at our best in the first half and struggled to find our rhythm, but the second half was much better.
"It wasn't enough to win the game, but we gave many players valuable minutes, so it is a positive for the future.
"It is important for our strikers to score, and tonight Marc [Guiu] got his first for the club.
"That gives him confidence and some key references he will need to build on with his team-mates. It is a good step for him.
"Nordi [Mukiele] and Arthur [Masuaku] brought good energy to their game.
"They haven't played much during pre-season for various reasons, so it was like their first pre-season match. Now they will be ready for Premier League action."
Sunderland v Huddersfield: Team newspublished at 19:05 BST 26 August
19:05 BST 26 August
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has made a whole host of changes after the defeat to Burnley over the weekend, with Chelsea loanee Marc Guiu making his first start for the club.
