While certain clubs in England’s North East struggle to find any semblance of control and composure during the summer transfer window, Sunderland are calmly piecing themselves back together ahead of an exciting new campaign.
Regis Le Bris wants a core squad of 20 players next season. Expansion is the order of the day, and understandably so, with the Black Cats now having to juggle the Premier League with a new campaign into the Europa League, courtesy of their seventh-place finish last season.
Few foresaw such a season for the newly-promoted side, but they are determined not to be shown up as a one-trick pony, and to achieve that, they must ensure Brian Brobbey is firing on all cylinders next term. The Dutch forward has become one of the Premier League’s finest.
How Brobbey has become one of the Premier League’s top strikers
Last season, Brobbey only scored seven goals across 31 matches in the Premier League. Without closer inspection, you could argue he had a decent year, but nothing more.
Remarked to look like “a freight-train when dribbling” by journalist Antonio Mango, Brobbey’s aggressive, no-holds-barred approach to attacking has made him one of the most imposing and effective forwards in the Premier League. For Le Bris’ side, he has been essential, not just a totem from which his teammates direct their advances, but an absolute handful for any defence he comes up against.
Despite interest from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich this summer, it looks like the Wearsiders are going to keep onto the 24-year-old, whose stock was lifted even higher upon a three-goal campaign in North America with Netherlands this summer, impressing at the World Cup.
Brobbey needs to raise his tally this season, but he requires more support in attack. It’s a problem Le Bris is working toward solving, and he is aiming for the stars.
Sunderland in talks to sign Brobbey’s dream partner
Brobbey might have enjoyed a fantastic campaign at Sunderland in 2025/26, but the club’s overall attacking play left something to be desired. Improvements are needed this year.
If Brobbey buddies up with another rising star, a contrasting profile, Le Bris could ensure that his side level-up next year, and according to Tutto Sport in Italy, talks are being held over a blockbuster deal for Roma attacking midfielder Matias Soule, who could be sacrificed this summer to fund the Serie A side’s window.
Soule, 23, has been priced at €35m (£30m), which would put him in line with the Black Cats’ club-record signing of Habib Diarra last year. Fulham are also chasing him, and while neither outfit have opened club-to-club negotiations, they are intensifying talks with the player’s agent.
In Italy, Roma are pursuing a loan deal for Real Madrid prospect Franco Mastantuono, and if they beat Fiorentina in that race, it could help Sunderland edge closer to what could be one of the shrewdest deals of the transfer window.
Soule has had a somewhat choppy career thus far, not quite hitting the same level in Rome as he achieved on loan with Frosinone during the 2023/24 season, the former Juventus loanee mesmerising across that breakout campaign.
|
Matias Soule’s Career Stats by Position |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Apps |
Goals + Assists |
|
Right winger |
92 |
15 + 8 |
|
Centre-forward |
51 |
10 + 8 |
|
Attacking midfield |
49 |
10 + 11 |
|
Right-back |
2 |
1 + 1 |
But it’s all relative, and Soule’s low ebb is another player’s high point. He is still one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe, and while some might consider a move to Sunderland a somewhat pragmatic move, it could be the making of him, allowing him to compete in Europe and join a rising group – with the potential to become their focal point in attack.
Alongside a physical force in Brobbey, he might well have all that he needs. It could be a first-class partnership, with the Netherlands striker’s link-up ability perfect for a tricky winger such as Soule.
Hailed for his “special” ability on the ball and penchant for the spectacular by journalist Zach Lowy, Soule has shown that he has the skills to thrive in the Premier League – and he has already featured 21 times in the Europa League.
He scored six goals and supplied five assists in the Italian top flight last year. Not the best return, but he only missed two big chances, speaking of a natural sharpness in front of goal that could serve him well alongside Brobbey at Sunderland.
Brobbey’s physicality is his greatest strength. He is able to outmuscle and outmanoeuvre opponents, allowing his peers to surge forward, into space. Soule’s silky dribbling and awareness when in dangerous positions could see him return to the 11-goal scoring heights that he hit with Frosinone back in 2023/24.
It has not been lost on Le Bris that his Sunderland team will compete across four fronts this season. The first and most important objective will be to get points on the board in the Premier League, then looking to wade deep into European waters and maybe challenge for a domestic title besides.
A lot to juggle, but there is something special about this Wearside outfit, and with Brobbey and Soule dancing together in attack, we could be in for another blockbuster campaign.