Sunderland go into this summer with a very different brief from last year. After 38 league matches, 54 points and a seventh-place finish that secured Europa League qualification, Florent Ghisolfi says the club want lower-volume recruitment and a stronger focus on quality. That is a sensible shift after a record outlay of £161 million on 15 new signings last summer.
Why Sunderland are changing the pace of their window
Ghisolfi did not dress it up as anything more complicated than a change of approach. “Last summer was strange; it was a rush because we needed to improve the team's quality and increase the number of players, whereas this summer we will focus on stability,” he told chroniclelive.co.uk.
That fits the shape of Sunderland’s season. Seventh place, 54 points and a goal difference of -6 point to a side that was competitive enough to earn Europe, but not in need of another full-scale reboot. The numbers support a more selective summer, not another shopping spree.
The club’s view of Europe is also notably calm. Ghisolfi said, “We don't want to have a squad that fears this challenge [of playing in Europe] because it is another chance for the team to grow, but also the club as a whole.” He also said, “We don't have a target for this season. We didn't have a target for the last one, we'll do our best and go with no fear.”
What Europe and the academy mean for Sunderland’s squad
The European return changes the workload, even if Sunderland are not treating that as a reason to panic. Sports Mole notes that qualification came after a 38-match league season, and the club now have a new competition to absorb on top of the domestic calendar. Chronicle Live also reported the loan departure of Milan Aleksić to FK Partizan for 2026/27, with reports suggesting an option-to-buy clause worth around £1 million.
There is also a clear academy thread running through the summer. Ghisolfi said, “Promoting from within is about more than continuity, it is an expression of our identity.” That lines up with Harrison Jones joining Peterborough permanently after captaining Sunderland Under-21s in the Premier League Cup Final in May, and with John Hewitson’s appointment as head of academy after being part of the setup since 2019.
The message is fairly plain. Sunderland are not trying to repeat last summer’s volume for the sake of it. They are trying to protect the core, keep the pathway open and add enough quality to cope with a bigger season. That looks like a more grown-up market plan than a rush back into double-digit incomings.
FAQ
Why are Sunderland transfers expected to be calmer this summer?
Florent Ghisolfi says Sunderland want stability, lower-volume recruitment and more precision after last summer’s rush. The club finished seventh with 54 points, qualified for the Europa League and are now facing a bigger workload without wanting to bloat the squad.
Will Sunderland make a huge rebuild after qualifying for the Europa League?
The plan points the other way. Ghisolfi said last summer was a rush, while this summer will focus on stability. Sunderland do not have a target for the season, and the club want to add quality rather than repeat a 15-signing, £161 million rebuild.
How many signings did Sunderland make last summer?
Sunderland spent a record £161 million on 15 new signings last summer. Sports Mole says that was the highest transfer outlay ever recorded by a newly promoted club.
What has Florent Ghisolfi said about Sunderland playing in Europe?
Ghisolfi said Sunderland do not want a squad that fears the challenge of Europe. He described it as another chance for the team and the club to grow, while also saying the side will go with no fear.
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