Regis Le Bris should make ‘incredible’ defender his next Sunderland signing after Premier League promotion

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Sunderland’s fate in next season’s Premier League could be defined by their recruitment in the summer transfer window.

Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland to-do list is bursting from the seams ahead of the Black Cats’ return to the Premier League.

Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has set the Premier League transfer budget, and the level of recruitment on Wearside will be imperative this summer, to equip Le Bris with as many quality reinforcements as required to stave off an instant relegation.

Roma loanee Enzo Le Fee was Sunderland’s first summer signing, after his spell became permanent due to the promotion clause in his contract, starting the Black Cats’ summer business off impressively.

Aside from Le Fee, Sunderland need recruits in all areas of the pitch to get the current squad up to top flight standard.

The looming transfer window is the most important in recent Sunderland history, and as such, there is one “incredible” talent the Black Cats hierarchy must target this summer.

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Sunderland should sign Callum Doyle ahead of Premier League return

Sunderland’s recruitment strategy and football club model centres around supreme young talent, who can go on to become Premier League quality down the line, and giving those players a platform to perform.

Recent examples of Sunderland’s recruitment success include Jobe Bellingham, who was signed for £3m from Birmingham City in 2023, and is now poised for a £25m move to the Bundesliga.

Another young English talent, with the potential to play in the Premier League, is Manchester City defender Callum Doyle, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan in the Championship with Norwich.

21-year-old Doyle would be the perfect addition to Le Bris’ Sunderland squad because he is a rare commodity in English football as a left-footed centre back, who can also deputise just as well at left-back.

During his Canaries stint, Doyle featured 40 times in the Championship, notching eight goal contributions in the process under now-departed boss Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Doyle’s captain during his loan stint at Norwich, Kenny McLean, told Man City this season of Doyle: “I think anybody that has watched Callum will agree that when he’s on the ball and is progressing and steps into midfield and plays a forward pass, he’s incredible at it,

“I think if you look at [Josko] Gvardiol and Nathan Ake maybe as centre half, playing in that position like Callum does for us, he [Callum] comes inside a lot and plays next to me and I think we’ve got a really good relationship.

“When someone’s got that quality and ability it’s easy to link up with him.”

Alongside either play-off semi-final hero Dan Ballard, or Welsh international Chris Mepham if he is signed permanently after impressing on loan from Bournemouth, Doyle would be a stellar addition to the Black Cats’ backline.

The Manchester City academy graduate’s comments over his immediate footballing future, and Sunderland’s potential upper hand in securing his signature, could pave the way for a move this summer.

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Sunderland could be the answer to Callum Doyle’s career wish

Doyle’s career has been nomadic despite being only 21-years-old, given that his loan spell at Norwich was his fourth successive season away from parent club Man City.

The young defender was part of the Leicester City squad who won promotion to the Premier League in 2023/24.

Before that, Doyle was on loan at Coventry, while the Sky Blues were beaten by Luton Town on penalties in the Championship play-off final.

Ironically, Doyle’s maiden loan spell away from the Etihad was on Wearside, as a member of Sunderland’s 2021/22 League One squad who won the play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers under Alex Neil.

Doyle has admitted, via the Pink Un, that he is looking for a permanent home next season. He said in May: “I think (a permanent move) is the next aim for me. It’s my fourth loan now, and I’ve been all over the country. 

“I’ve loved playing here and at Carrow Road. The fans are great, so you never know (about a return). It just depends on what happens in the summer, to be honest.”

Sunderland are famed for giving rising young English talent, akin to Borussia Dortmund-linked Bellingham, a home platform to display their best, and Doyle would fit that bill.

The Black Cats need quality reinforcements, and Doyle is searching for a permanent footballing home. His return to the Stadium of Light would suit all parties perfectly.