Sunderland Plotting Huge Double Signing That Could Secure European Football

Sunderland are plotting a huge double swoop in the January transfer window, it has been claimed.

The Black Cats enter Sunday’s encounter with Everton having made their joint best ever start to a Premier League season.

Indeed, 17 points from their first nine games equals their efforts from 1999-2000, when Peter Reid's outfit went on to finish seventh.

And despite only having been promoted from the Championship last season, Regis le Bris’ side will be dreaming of European qualification this term.

Le Bris has confounded expectations since being appointed in July 2024 as an unheralded replacement for Michael Beale.

Sunderland’s success has in-part, come from a fruitful summer window, with the club bringing in Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki for a combined £28m - £13m for Xhaka, £15m for Sadiki.

Sunderland are reportedly looking to bolster their ranks ever further with two January signings as they push to remain in the Premier League top half.

According to Walfoot, Sunderland are interested in 20-year-old centre-back Jorne Spileers, who is valued at around €3.5million (£3million).

Spileers is one of Belgium’s brightest young defenders, having amassed 84 senior appearances, including 17 this term.

‘Granit (Xhaka) leads by example. He gives us faith and hope. He believes we can always win. He shows it and he tells the players that in the dressing room. You want to follow him.’

🗨️ Régis Le Bris pic.twitter.com/DvQqSfcJi5

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 31, 2025

The Belgium Under-21 international was promoted to Club Brugge’s first team in 2022, and has gone on to become a mainstay with the Belgian side.

Elsewhere, ESPN Brazil has claimed that Sunderland have also set their sights on Rio Ave forward Andre Luiz.

The 23-year-old Brazilian striker has registered four goals and three assists in just eight Liga Portugal games this term.

While Transfermarkt currently value Luiz at just €2.5million (£2.1million), a January move is likely to cost Sunderland considerably more given that he is under contract until 2028.

Moreover, Rio Ave recently made his signing permanent for €2.2million (£1.9million).