Everton’s transfer activity this summer reflected both ambition and pragmatism.

While big-name arrivals like Jack Grealish from Manchester City and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea made the headlines, there was also a clear strategy to invest in youth.

Signings such as Thierno Barry from Villarreal and Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich highlighted a long-term vision to blend established stars with emerging prospects.

This shift comes after years of financial strain and inconsistent recruitment.

Now under David Moyes, Everton are trying to lower the average age of their squad and build a pipeline of talent capable of delivering both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

It’s a strategy that echoes the days when one of English football’s brightest ever teenage stars first emerged from the blue half of Merseyside.

Rooney and Everton’s golden standard for youth

Wayne Rooney remains the benchmark for what a teenager can achieve at Everton.

Born in Liverpool and signed by the club at just nine years old, he made his professional debut in 2002 at the age of 16.

His impact was immediate and unforgettable.

Five days before his 17th birthday, Rooney announced himself to the Premier League with a stunning last-minute strike against Arsenal.

The goal ended the Gunners’ 30-match unbeaten run and made him the youngest scorer in Premier League history at the time – a record since overtaken by James Milner and James Vaughan.

By the time he left for Manchester United in 2004, Rooney had already made 77 appearances and scored 17 goals for Everton.

His performances saw him crowned BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2002, and his talent quickly blossomed into one of the most decorated careers in English football.

After 13 years at Old Trafford, where he became United’s all-time leading scorer, Rooney returned to Everton for the 2017/18 season, adding another 11 goals before moving on once again.

His story remains a reminder of what can happen when a club nurtures exceptional young talent. Enter, Tyler Dibling.

Everton's search for the next great prospect

Two decades on, Everton believe they may have found their most exciting teenage talent since Rooney.

This summer, the club finalised a £42m move for Dibling from Southampton – their biggest signing of the window and one that capped off what had initially been a frustrating market in which Moyes had repeatedly called for reinforcements.

Dibling, still only 19, had already caught the attention of Europe’s elite.

Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich were all credited with interest after his breakthrough season at St Mary’s.

According to journalist Alfie House, he is a “younger but bigger Jack Grealish” and his play-style, slight and low-socked, ankles nearly showing, certainly backs that up.

In 2023/24, he made 33 Premier League appearances, scoring twice and assisting once in 1,874 minutes.

2024/25 Stats – Tyler Dibling

Matches Played

33

Goals

2

Progressive Carries

69

Progressive Passes

64

Source: FBref

Those numbers may look modest, but the underlying data paints a picture of a highly dynamic wide player.

According to FBref, the winger ranked in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn per 90 minutes (2.49) and in the 98th percentile for penalty kicks won (0.10), highlighting his ability to disrupt defences and force mistakes.

His work rate off the ball was just as impressive, sitting in the 88th percentile for tackles in the midfield third (0.86) and the 98th percentile for percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).

Defensively, he also contributed with blocked shots, placing in the 96th percentile (0.24 per 90), while going forward he showcased flair and intent.

Dibling attempted 5.28 take-ons per 90 (87th percentile), successfully completing 2.16 (81st percentile).

Such numbers suggest a player who is not only fearless in possession but also committed to pressing and recovering the ball.

For Everton, the appeal is obvious. With Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom both departing, Moyes wanted a right-sided attacker who could offer both creativity and graft.

Dibling fits the bill perfectly. He has already been handed an England U21 debut, further underlining his potential to grow into a senior international.

Although he has yet to make his Premier League debut in blue, Dibling featured in the EFL Cup against Mansfield and earned a place in the matchday squad against Wolves.

With Everton eager to refresh their squad and supporters craving homegrown heroes, the stage is set for him to become a central Rooney-like figure in the coming seasons.

Related Forget Barry: Everton are brewing Beto replacement in 19-year-old "nuisance"

Everton have got exciting competition for places in their centre-forward ranks

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Sep 11, 2025

Manchester United are already looking ahead to the January transfer window and could bid for an “incredible” talent once the market period opens.

Manchester United prepare for Premier League return as Onana departs

The international break is in full swing, and supporters of the Red Devils have been left to reflect on a mixed start to the campaign, resulting in one victory, a solitary draw, and a defeat within their first three Premier League matches.

Ruben Amorim will still be reeling from the effects of a shock EFL Cup exit to Grimsby Town, albeit time moves on, and so does the narrative surrounding Manchester United.

In a surprise turn of developments, Andre Onana is set to join Trabzonspor on loan, something that Fabrizio Romano has added further context to via his platform on social media outlet X.

He stated: “André Onana agrees to join Trabzonspor, here we go! All contracts are now signed on player side, waiting on counter approval from Trabzonspor and travel next week. Deal done on loan from Manchester United as revealed on Saturday, no buy option or loan fee.”

Intriguingly, reports claim that Manchester United could join the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi after his failed move to Liverpool during the summer window.

Amorim does appear to be intent on strengthening his defence, but he has an alternative star in his sights that he could look to make inroads to sign once the mid-season market opens for business.

Manchester United set to submit Zeno Debast January bid

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are set to submit a January bid for Sporting Lisbon defender Zeno Debast after they’ve been spotted scouting him over the last few weeks. Arsenal are also keen on the Belgium international, though the Portuguese champions are holding out for a fee close to £69 million for his services.

Amorim can revive Mainoo by binning £150k-p/w flop in Man Utd system switch

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim can revive Kobbie Mainoo by changing his formation.

ByDan Emery Sep 7, 2025

However, Manchester United are more likely to come in with an offer around the £34.5 million mark, something that may test the waters, but won’t be enough to tempt him to England.

Anderlecht retain a 15% sell-on clause for Debast, and there may be room for negotiation on that front for the 21-year-old, who is primarily a central defender and has made five appearances this season.

Labelled “incredible” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Halle-born man would be another worthwhile long-term investment in Manchester United’s backline, though it remains to be seen if they can meet Sporting’s demands.

Four half-centuries ensure hosts post imposing first-day total at Grace Road

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Apr-2025Half-centuries from Sol Budinger, Ian Holland, Peter Handscomb and Logan Van Beek helped Leicestershire reach a commanding 423 for nine after Derbyshire had asked them to bat first on the first day of their Rothesay County Championship match in Leicester.The East Midlands rivals are both looking to build on winning starts to their Division Two campaigns. Derbyshire, who beat Gloucestershire at home last week, bowled well at times but found their errors punished ruthlessly by aggressive Leicestershire batting.Leicestershire, victors at Glamorgan in the opening round, built partnerships right down the innings, with all-rounder van Beek, the Netherlands international making his debut, impressing at No 8. New Zealand’s Blair Tickner took two wickets on his return to Derbyshire.Budinger set the tone for Leicestershire from the start, with two of his first five balls faced finding the boundary, the outfield as fast as it is in midsummer as the current run of sunny weather continued.He had an unfamiliar opening partner in Rehan Ahmed, who took the place of the injured Rishi Patel at the top of the order as Leicestershire chased a modest target to win their opening match at Cardiff last week, continued in the role with Patel nursing a dislocated thumb.Given that Ahmed shares Budinger’s positive approach, there was a promise of runs in abundance if things went their way and at 26 without loss after four overs Derbyshire skipper Wayne Madsen might have already been wondering whether bowling first had been the right choice, even with plenty of grass on the pitch.Zak Chappell provided some reassurance immediately by bowling Ahmed, who drove loosely, but there was no more joy for Madsen’s bowlers until the penultimate over before lunch and the end of Budinger, who had been pretty impressive until, as can be his downfall, he played one shot too many.You could hardly blame him. Until that moment, he’d given the treatment to virtually everything even a tad short or wide and profited to the tune of 15 boundaries in a run-a-ball 81. But this time the ball from Martin Andersson, only just into the attack for the first time, perhaps climbed a little more than he anticipated outside off stump and the contact he made was enough only to deflect it into the gloves of wicketkeeper Brooke Guest. After 19 first-class matches, 87 remains Budinger’s highest score.His demise at 129 for two, following a 103-run partnership with Holland, prefaced a more rewarding afternoon for Derbyshire’s bowlers, with testing spells from Tickner, Luis Reece and Zak Chappell bringing breakthroughs after Holland had completed a 98-ball half-century.Tickner, back with Derbyshire after a family illness last year prompted an early return to New Zealand, hurried one through to have Lewis Hill leg before for 24; Reece, who had been twice close to dismissing Handscomb in single figures, had Holland caught at gully for 74; and Chappell, back on the ground where he began his career, bowled Patel’s replacement, Louis Kimber.But Handscomb, who flashed one edge off Reece almost through second-slip Madsen and promptly dropped another just short, settled down alongside Ben Cox to guide Leicestershire to tea and beyond.The captain and wicketkeeper added 97 for the sixth wicket before Derbyshire, with the new ball four overs away, made an important breakthrough as Handscomb, almost out off a thick edge to slip two balls earlier, was bowled by David Lloyd’s off-spin, one wicket bringing another as left-arm spinner Jack Morley had Cox leg before for 49.But any Derbyshire hopes of making short work of what remained in the Leicestershire innings were thwarted by Van Beek and Ben Green, who added 64 although Van Beek had some good fortune when the delivery from Reece that came back to bowl him on 33 was signalled as a no ball.Tickner had Green caught at long leg and the persevering Reece had Ben Mike leg before but Leicestershire were not to be denied a fourth batting point and may yet claim a fifth.

Sunderland now have two home games on the bounce to try and restore the confidence that saw the Black Cats hammer West Ham United 3-0 on the Premier League opening day.

While it likely isn’t a priority competition this season, winning in the EFL Cup against Huddersfield Town later today would come as a welcome treat after losing 2-0 away at Burnley, before a home clash with Jordan Henderson’s Brentford then awaits back in the hustle and bustle of league action.

After the Bees come to Wearside, the next main event on the agenda will be transfer deadline day, with Sunderland not yet done with all their busy activity heading into the chaotic affair.

Sunderland ready to bid for £30m defender

A mammoth £141.5m has already been splashed by Regis Le Bris and Co. this summer.

However, the Black Cats are not completely finished forking out excessive wads of money if new rumours are to be believed, with £30m potentially being spent to try and land RC Strasbourg star Dilane Bakwa, who was previously on Leeds United’s radar.

Moreover, a similar amount of cash could also leave the Sunderland bank account shortly in attempting to land Chelsea reserve defender Axel Disasi.

Indeed, journalist Fabrice Hawkins has taken to X to confirm that the Premier League newcomers are ready to place a bid for the 27-year-old’s services to shore up their options in the centre-back department, with AFC Bournemouth also in the race for the Frenchman.

He could well cost another £30m to get over the line, according to reports, but with Sunderland now waiting on the extent of Daniel Ballard’s injury, after he hobbled off versus the Clarets, snapping up Disasi might well gift Le Bris a dream alternative to the injury-prone centre-back.

How Disasi compares to Ballard

It’s hardly a new development for Sunderland fans regarding Ballard going down with a knock.

Therefore, the alarm bells must have been ringing when the Northern Ireland international had to come off the pitch at Turf Moor after just 10 minutes, considering he has missed 67 clashes in total – since joining Sunderland back in 2022 – due to regular visits to the Stadium of Light treatment room.

This is where the addition of the “dominant” Disasi could come in handy, as he’s been labelled previously by scout Jacek Kulig, with the lofty 6-foot-3 defender showing off an ability to fire home chances – much like Ballard with his seven Black Cats goals and counting – when being in the right place at the right time to slot home this effort on his Blues debut two years ago.

He is also similar to the much-loved Sunderland servant in many other aspects of his varied game, as evident in his promising 2023/24 season in West London.

Before somewhat sliding down the pecking order at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca, Disasi was a regular in the heart of the Stamford Bridge defence, and for good reason, with a composed 64.3 accurate passes averaged in league action during his first season in the first-team fold. Ballard averaged an 88% pass accuracy himself last campaign in the Championship, when he wasn’t stricken by injury.

Moreover, the table shows why Disasi was referred to as a “monster” by journalist Rahman Osman during his Blues peak, with a high 4.3 duels won on average across his 31 league starts.

Ballard did just better this tally last season in the demanding second tier – with 4.6 won on average – but Le Bris will know he can depend on the 27-year-old to come in and fill in for the ex-Arsenal defender if needed.

After all, while he didn’t set the world alight out on loan at Aston Villa last campaign, he did at least prove himself to be a useful utility option for Unai Emery, with 100% of his duels being won against Nottingham Forest during his penultimate Premier League outing at Villa Park.

Ideally, Sunderland will want Ballard to be fit and starting week in, week out, having already been a star in the top-flight when scoring versus West Ham.

But, if Disasi is available at the last minute, he might well be a smart buy to pursue to lessen the Black Cats’ ongoing worries about their fragile number five.

New Le Fee: Sunderland leading race to sign "very exciting" £30m star

Sunderland is now in the lead to snap up this exciting £30m talent.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 26, 2025

كشف ييس توروب، المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، عن اللاعبين البدلاء في مباراة إيجل نوار البوروندي، التي تقام بين الفريقين اليوم السبت.

ويلعب الأهلي ضد إيجل نوار، ضمن مواجهة الذهاب لدور الـ 32 من عمر منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، وذلك على ملعب الفريق البوروندي.

طالع | تشكيل الأهلي أمام إيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. توروب يدفع بـ القوة الضاربة

وتعد المباراة الظهور الأول، للمدرب ييس توروب، في القيادة الفنية للنادي الأهلي، بعد تعيينه خلفًا للإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو. بدلاء الأهلي اليوم أمام إيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

مصطفى شوبير وعمر كمال عبدالواحد وأحمد عبد القادر وأحمد رمضان بيكهام، وجراديشار ومحمد مجدي أفشة ومصطفى العش وأليو ديانج وطاهر محمد طاهر.

يذكر، أن مباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار البوروندي، في إياب دور الـ32 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، ستقام في الثامنة مساء يوم السبت المقبل 25 أكتوبر، على ستاد القاهرة الدولي.

It has been a long time since the mood around Arsenal has been so jubilant.

Amazingly, it was the complete opposite just a couple of days ago, with fans having to deal with fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur closing in on Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz suffering another potentially significant injury.

Fortunately, everything changed on Wednesday evening when reports broke of the club going back in and hijacking the move for the Crystal Palace star.

With a ‘here we go’ from Fabrizio Romano and news of him completing his medical yesterday, the Gunners have finally got their hands on the potentially game-changing number ten they’ve needed for so long.

Yet, if Arsenal want to really get the most out of Eze and help him reach or surpass the numbers Liverpool’s new ten, Florian Wirtz, put up last season, they should be going in for another international they’ve been linked with this summer.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Why Arsenal signed Eze

One of the primary reasons Arsenal decided to splash the cash on Eze this summer is undoubtedly his output of the last few years.

For example, across the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons, the 27-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, was able to score 25 goals and provide 17 assists in 79 appearances, totalling 5588 minutes.

In other words, the former QPR gem maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.88 games, or every 133.04 minutes for a mid-table side.

Appearances

36

43

Minutes

2285′

3303′

Goals

11

14

Assists

6

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

134.41′

132.12′

The second significant reason the North Londoners went all out for the Greenwich-born superstar is the fact that he can play as a ten and out on the left.

These were two of the most significant problem areas for the team last season, as Martin Odegaard was miles off his creative best and neither Gabriel Martinelli nor Leandro Trossard were able to offer enough threat out wide.

Finally, while it will take some time for the 5 foot 10 dynamo to familiarise himself with Arsenal’s style of player and Arteta’s tactical ideas, he’s Premier League-proven.

Therefore, it shouldn’t take anywhere near as long as some of the Gunners’ other signings to get up to speed.

However, while Eze looks like he could be a game-changing addition to the North Londoners’ squad, they could potentially get even more out of him and help him hit the numbers of Wirtz last season by signing another international star they’ve been linked with: Ademola Lookman.

Why Lookman can help Eze hit Wirtz numbers

Given their attacking problems last season, it’s hardly been a surprise to see the sheer number of offensive players Arsenal have been linked with this summer.

One of the most exciting and intriguing of those has been Lookman, who could be available for around £43m after his move to Inter Milan fell through, and he could help Eze hit the incredible numbers Wirtz did last season: 31 goal involvements in 45 games.

The first reason we think this is that the Nigerian international is a lean, mean output machine.

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

Since moving to the Serie A side in August 2022, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by the BBC’s John Bennett, has scored a brilliant 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 appearances, totalling 7538 minutes.

That means the 5 foot 9 monster has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes on the continent.

Just imagine the sort of numbers the former Everton man would put up in this Arsenal side, and then the goals and assists the Palace ace could chalk up playing alongside him.

Moreover, there would be plenty of opportunities for the two to play together, as even though the Wandsworth-born game-changer spent much of last season up top, he is just as comfortable playing on either wing, as a second striker, or even in midfield.

This ability to cover practically every area of the attack also means that he could cover for the FA Cup winner when needed, ensuring he isn’t overplayed and is always near his best.

Ultimately, Eze is an excellent signing in his own right, but were Arsenal to also bring in Lookman this summer, he could help the Englishman hit the sort of numbers Wirtz did for Bayer Leverkusen last year.

Palace's "unusual" Eze demand sparked Tottenham fear before Arsenal hijack

The England international has agreed to re-join his boyhood club.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 22, 2025

Manchester United reportedly considered appointing former coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before they hired Ruben Amorim last November. The Portuguese coach was brought in from Sporting CP as United parted ways with Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign. Solskjaer managed the Red Devils for three years before being dismissed in November 2021.

Man Utd considered bringing back Solskjaer after Ten Hag's sacking

United parted ways with Ten Hag in October 2024 and replaced the Dutchman with Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP. However, according to , the Red Devils hierarchy had considered bringing back club legend and former coach Solskjaer to take up the manager's role once again if Amorim was unattainable.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesAmorim's nightmare United spell continues

Amorim's spell at Old Trafford has not gone as planned, as the Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League and were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. In the new season, United have been eliminated from the Carabao Cup second round by Grimsby Town and are currently 14th in the league, with just two wins from their first six matches. 

Amorim's future at United under scanner

After United made a disappointing start to the new season, despite spending heavily in the transfer window, Amorim's future at Old Trafford has come under scrutiny, with many experts suggesting the club should part ways with the 40-year-old. Even former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate has also been tipped to replace the Portuguese. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportSolskjaer without a job at the moment

Solskjaer was relieved of his duties as Besiktas manager after the Turkish Super Lig giants crashed out of the Conference League play-offs in August. The Norwegian coach, who joined Besiktas in January 2025, arrived on a one-and-a-half-year deal but lasted only eight months in the role.

MatériaMais Notícias

Por mais que a situação seja complicada, o Patronato desembarcou no Rio de Janeiro repleto de motivação para encarar o Botafogo. Próximo do jogo de volta do playoff das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, marcado para as 19h, no Nilton Santos, a sensação é de que o clube argentino vive mais um momento histórico em sua trajetória.

Atualmente na Primera B, equivalente à Segundona local, “El Patrón” encara uma desvantagem de dois gols de diferença. Mesmo em meio a este contexto em campo, o mandatário Oscar Lenzi reforça a esperança que move todos.

– Para nós, na verdade, estar aqui é uma imensa alegria! O futebol argentino se nutre também da rivalidade com os brasileiros. E o Patronato é um clube muito humilde que, aos poucos, foi chegando a instâncias inimagináveis. Hoje, podemos encarar um clube tradicional do Brasil, como o Botafogo. É fascinante – afirmou, ao Lance!.

Em seguida, o dirigente reconheceu os obstáculos com os quais o clube encara.

– Somos um clube de interior, mas a Copa Argentina nos credenciou para estas batalhas, essas viagens… Tivemos de fazer muitos sacrifícios e as coisas foram dando resultado. Chegamos a disputar a Libertadores, depois conseguimos, a duras penas, a vaga na Sul-Americana. Agora, sabemos o quanto o Botafogo é forte, mostrou isso na primeira partida, mas acreditamos no imponderável – disse.

TRABALHO EM MEIO A LIMITAÇÕES

O dirigente calcula que a folha salarial do Patronato gira em torno de US$ 200 mil (por volta de R$ 960 mil), em um momento no qual o país padece com a desvalorização de sua moeda. Na campanha da Primera B, a equipe está na décima-primeira colocação do Grupo A, com 31 pontos, a quatro da zona de classificação.

– Temos um elenco muito limitado e estamos passando por lesões nesta sequência na Primera B. Mesmo assim, o grupo viajou bastante otimista para este confronto com o Botafogo – disse Lenzi.

SONHO LATENTE, MAS DESAFIADOR

Mesmo em meio a tantos sacrifícios, o sonho do Patronato continua latente.

– Sabemos do poder do Botafogo mas, com respeito a eles, todos esperam fazer uma boa partida. Tomara que assim seja – afirmou o mandatário Oscar Lenzi.

O mandatário de “El Patrón” não esconde que ainda tem outros sonhos pela frente

– Ao trazer o Patronato para jogar aqui no Brasil contra uma equipe brasileira, vivo um sonho dentro de outro sonho. E quero acordar com um gol do Patronato!

Como o clube argentino perdeu por 2 a 0 na ida, na cidade do Paraná, o Botafogo se classifica até se perder por um gol de diferença no Niltão.

The franchise did not specify a date for the South Africa fast bowler’s return to IPL 2025

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2025

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has left the Gujarat Titans (GT) squad and returned home to South Africa for personal seasons.GT, in a statement, said he had left “to deal with an important personal matter”, and did not specify a date for his return.Rabada played GT’s first two matches in IPL 2025, taking 1 for 41 in the defeat to Punjab Kings, and 1 for 42 in the victory against Mumbai Indians.He did not play GT’s third game, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, and his absence was attributed to personal reasons.GT brought in allrounder Arshad Khan, who ended up dismissing Virat Kohli, as a replacement for Rabada, and fielded only three overseas players – Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan and Sherfane Rutherford, who came in as the Impact Player for the chase. GT won the contest by eight wickets and 13 balls to spare.GT’s other overseas options are New Zealand allrounder Glenn Phillips, who hasn’t played a game yet, and South Africa fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who also hasn’t featured yet and may not be fully fit.GT are currently fourth on the points table, with two wins and a defeat in their first three matches. Their next fixture is an away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6, after which they host Rajasthan Royals on April 9.

Sunderland have suffered from their fair share of relegation heartbreaks over the years.

Staggeringly, when looking over the all-time records, the Wearside outfit have been relegated from the Premier League down to the EFL an alarming nine times, with the last of those coming about at the end of the gloomy 2016/17 season.

Regis Le Bris will be hoping his name won’t be added to the list of the unfortunate managers who have a relegation blotting their CV, having just experienced the opposite, the unbelievable joy of promotion last campaign.

He has certainly been handed a very impressive squad to try and secure survival with, with a reported £162m forked out on upgrades all over the pitch.

Brobbey vs Xhaka – who is the better signing?

Amazingly, Sunderland were still active all the way up until deadline day, despite the litany of new signings entering the building before the chaos ensued.

Indeed, the main headline-grabbing signing from the hectic events of deadline day was the £21.6m capture of Brian Brobbey, with the Ajax goal machine suddenly uprooting away from his boyhood club at the final hour to try and be a rip-roaring success in England.

Le Bris and Co will hope the goals start flowing from minute one to justify that lavish price tag, and with Brobbey previously being lauded for his “prolific” nature by scout Jacek Kulig, it should be millions well spent.

After all, the Dutchman can’t have fluked his Ajax senior record of 56 strikes from 163 appearances at the Johan Cruyff Arena. That sort of record is precisely what Sunderland are looking for as they attempt to beat the drop. Goals, after all, are the most important commodity in football.

He could well get the nod over Eliezer Mayenda when Sunderland clash with Crystal Palace up next, but Granit Xhaka stands proud as the most striking deal of the summer window. His experience of Premier League football and his leadership skills make him a player who could drag the Mackems to safety.

Last time out, the Swiss assisted the last-gasp Wilson Isidor winner against Brentford, with the £17m recruit proving his worth in lots more ways than just supplying the Frenchman with that late strike, having also won a whopping ten duels as a battler for the newly promoted side’s cause.

Both signings, when looking back on the season next May, should hopefully be viewed as terrific success stories.

Yet, while both purchases cost Sunderland a pretty penny, there is another standout performer worth even more than the named duo, who was plying his trade for the Black Cats last season in the Championship.

The "incredible" star worth more than Brobbey & Xhaka

Thankfully, there are still some threads of continuity from that whirlwind promotion season in Le Bris’ first team, regardless of the wholesale changes this summer.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Both the aforementioned Mayenda and Trai Hume were regular starters for the Frenchman as promotion was eyed up, and both started the clash against Keith Andrews’ Bees.

On top of that, former loan star turned permanent purchase Enzo Le Fee also got the call to play from the get-go against Brentford, which proved to be an inspired choice by the ex-Lorient boss.

Despite it being his first ever taste of the hustle and bustle of the Premier League from the start, the cool and composed left winger tucked away his penalty with some confidence, which then gave the Black Cats the springboard to seal a late win via Isidor’s heroics.

But, going back to Le Fee, Sunderland fans just continue to fall more and more in love with their skilful ace, who managed to also notch up a solitary goal and three assists last season to steer Le Bris and Co up to the promised land.

Games played

22

Goals scored

2

Assists

3

Big chances created

2

Transfer valuation

£18m

After seriously impressing against Brentford, with Le Fee also winning eight ground duels to battle away valiantly for his team, Football Transfers estimates that his valuation stands at a weighty £18m.

Using the same source, that means the former AS Roma midfielder is actually worth more than both Brobbey and Xhaka, who boast reduced valuations of £17.7m and £15m respectively.

Even more could soon come from the “incredible” ace – as he was also labelled by Kulig – as the season progresses, considering Le Fee has seven goals and 14 assists up his sleeve previously in Ligue 1.

If all three players can perform to the peak of their powers, relegation shouldn’t be a worry on Wearside, as Le Bris tries to ensure a depressing tenth relegation isn’t on the cards.

Sunderland struck gold on "phenomenal" ace worth more than Brobbey & Diarra

Sunderland have struck gold with this phenomenal performer, who is amazingly worth more than both Brian Brobbey and Habib Diarra.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 7, 2025