Sunderland plot £18m double deal to strengthen defence and midfield | OneFootball

Sunderland’s Return Marked by Ambition with Double Transfer Move

Doyle and Singo lead summer recruitment plan

For a club often caught between nostalgia and necessity, Sunderland’s return to the Premier League offers a rare moment of clarity. This is not just about survival. According to TeamTalk, the Black Cats are plotting a double swoop for Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle and Monaco defender Wilfried Singo — a signal, if nothing else, that they are back with purpose.

Doyle, still only 23, remains something of an enigma. A Manchester City academy product and once hailed as the future of England’s midfield, he has drifted in and out of relevance. A loan spell at Sheffield United offered glimpses of control and composure, but at Wolves under Victor Pereira, he found little rhythm. Now, reportedly available for as little as £3 million, he represents value in a market that often overcharges for promise.

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With Jobe Bellingham expected to follow his brother to Dortmund, Sunderland have moved quickly to plug the creative gap. In Doyle, they may find a metronome to anchor their Premier League rhythm.

Photo: IMAGO

Singo adds versatility and presence

Wilfried Singo, meanwhile, fits a different profile. At 24, he brings physicality and athleticism, having featured regularly in Ligue 1. His ability to play as a right-back or centre-back gives Sunderland flexibility, and at £15 million, he is priced with Premier League expectation in mind.

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New boss Regis Le Bris, it seems, is assembling a team of substance and structure, not just flair. Enzo Le Fee’s permanent £19.5 million arrival from Roma already adds gravity to midfield. Now, these further additions suggest a club building for more than just 17th place.

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With interest growing in homegrown talents like Dan Neil and Dennis Cirkin, Sunderland’s decision to prioritise contract renewals alongside new faces reflects a club trying to balance past, present and future.

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This is exactly the kind of intent Sunderland fans have waited nearly a decade to see again. No scrambling for last-minute loan deals, no panicked relegation-style signings — this looks like a clear transfer strategy with real direction.

The possible arrival of Tommy Doyle for just £3 million is a serious piece of business. We have watched him control games in the Championship and glimpsed his potential at Man City and Sheffield United. In a team that needs calm, technical leadership in midfield, he is a perfect replacement for Jobe Bellingham.

Wilfried Singo? £15 million sounds like a lot, but Sunderland are not in the business of thinking small anymore. He is quick, physically dominant and has European pedigree. For a squad that needs more steel at the back, this would be a statement addition.