Sunderland’s plans for the new season can now get underway after confirming Regis Le Bris as their new head coach.
The Black Cats have finally put an end to the long search for Mick Beale’s replacement, as they have decided that after several talks with different managers, Le Bris is the best fit.
The Frenchman isn’t well known to English football, but the club will hope that with a strong summer of activity, they can be in a good position to have a good go at the play-offs.
Sunderland have already got their recruitment going in this transfer window, but here at Football League World, we have looked at two shrewd transfers the club should make before August 30th…
Eoin Toal
Sunderland do already have a few options in the central of defence, with players such as Dan Ballard, Aji Alese, Luke O’Nien, and Jenson Seelt.
But O’Nien is more of a makeshift centre-back, as he plays in a number of different roles for the Black Cats, while Seelt is said to be out injured until the end of the year.
That doesn’t leave Regis Le Bris with many options in that area of the pitch; therefore, the club should look to pursue a move for Bolton Wanderers’ Eoin Toal.
The Northern Irishman has been with the Trotters since July 2022, and his game has come on a lot in those two years.
| Eoin Toal’s stats for Bolton Wanderers | |
|---|---|
| Apps | 82 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Stats as per Transfermarkt (As it stands on the 26th of June) | |
Toal finished last season having played 40 times for Bolton in the league, as well as the three play-off games they played.
The centre-back hasn’t played in the Championship before, but with Bolton failing to get promoted, Sunderland should try to test the club’s resolve and make a move for the 25-year-old.
Toal has recently signed a new contract at the club, but the temptation of playing in the second tier for a team like Sunderland may be too much to turn down.
The defender has really impressed since moving to England, with his defensive abilities on show in every game he plays, while he has also got an eye for goal, as seen with his four in League One last season.
He may lack some experience, but he is only 25, so he fits into the age category that the Black Cats always look for, and given how well he has played in the last two seasons, he would be a good pick up for Sunderland and may be cheaper than potentially other centre-backs.
Lawrence Shankland
Lawrence Shankland has been with Scottish Premiership side Hearts since 2022, and since returning to Scotland, the forward has been in sensational form in front of goal.
Shankland finished his first season with the Scottish side, having scored 28 goals in all competitions. He then followed that up by scoring 31 in all competitions in the 2023/24 season.
Teams such as Burnley, Hull City, Southampton, and Middlesbrough have been linked with the striker in the past, so there is no reason why Sunderland shouldn’t be casting their eyes as well.
It has been claimed that Hearts could be willing to listen to offers for the Scottish international, who has 12 months left on his contract.
It is very clear that Sunderland needs to add to their forward line this summer, as the club lacked a cutting-edge last season, and if they do lose Jack Clarke, it makes their attacking set-up even weaker.
Signing a new striker will likely be a priority for the club in this transfer window, and while Shankland hasn’t played in England before, he could be a very good purchase for a team like Sunderland.
The 28-year-old has proven to find the net wherever he has played, and if Hearts are willing to sell him, then the Black Cats should be all over a deal, as he could answer their problems in front of goal.
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