The last time Sunderland triumphantly won promotion up to the Premier League back in 2007, the Black Cats managed to stay in the tricky division for a mammoth nine straight seasons, before falling down to the lower reaches of the EFL.
Regis Le Bris would love for the same level of stability to greet his side in 2025, with Sunderland’s standout summer business – which has included a club-record £30m being forked out to win Habib Diarra – making those on Wearside believe they can instantly secure survival and thrive back in the promised land.
The ambitious Wearaide outfit were dealt a heavy dose of realism last time out in pre-season, however, as Hearts convincingly put the top-flight newcomers to the sword in a 3-0 loss.
Still, not much can often be read from freak pre-season results, but more signings will likely be in the pipeline for Le Bris and Co. before August’s big showdown with West Ham United officially kicks off the Premier League campaign.
Sunderland express interest in new goal machine
The Frenchman will have some concerns about how his team will initially take to the daunting step-up, worrying that the Hammers will expose the porous Sunderland defence at will, much like the heavy Hearts defeat.
This could well spur the Black Cats into snapping up one or two new defensive recruits, with Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi still on the shopping list, amid reports the Colombian might be available for around the £22m mark.
Away from chasing after defenders, however, Sunderland are also actively in the market for some fresh striker personnel, with a surprise target now appearing on the shortlist.
Indeed, as per reports from Spain, Jamie Vardy is preparing for one final dance in the top-flight after waving goodbye to Leicester City, with Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sunderland and even Manchester United all interested in the potent veteran’s short-term services.
In fact, it reports that the Mackems have already come forward with an attractive offer to sign the veteran attacker.
How Vardy can become Sunderland's next Defoe
With a weighty 145 Premier League goals next to his name, Vardy could be a smart pick-up by Sunderland as they navigate the choppy waters of the top-flight.
He could even go on to be the Wearside club’s second coming of Jermain Defoe, with the former forward once playing the role of seasoned old-timer to perfection during Sunderland’s Premier League heyday.
Long before Le Bris helped put Sunderland back on the footballing map, Defoe was leading the line for the Black Cats with some venom in the big time.
The well-travelled attacker would go on to amass a high 34 of his 156 Premier League goal collection at the Stadium of Light, with one of his ex-Sunderland bosses in Gustavo Poyet even hailing that his side were ‘a different team’ altogether when Defoe was strutting his stuff for fun.
Games played
480
342
Goals scored
156
145
Assists
32
50
Hat-tricks
4
3
PL title wins
0
1
Amazingly, Vardy will attempt to eclipse Defoe’s bumper 156 goals in the Premier League if he lines back up in the top division next campaign, with the 26-time England international only 11 strikes off his counterpart’s 156 goals, despite making 138 fewer appearances.
Moreover, much like Defoe managed to achieve at the Stadium of Light, Vardy was a constant livewire presence for the Foxes that ensured safety was reached time after time during his 13-year association with the club, with a jaw-dropping Premier League title success also coming his way when regularly bamboozling defences.
He was so well thought of at the King Power Stadium that he was even lauded as “world-class” by former boss Brendan Rodgers, on top of international acclaim also coming his way during his purple patch in Leicester blue when ex-Germany manager Joachim Low heralded him as “spectacular” in 2016.
It’s not all just nostalgia, however, as Vardy did try his utmost last season to help the Foxes avoid the drop, but his healthy nine strikes in Premier League action just weren’t enough.
Le Bris will hope he can chip in with a similar amount or even more donning Sunderland red and white, as a new, seasoned attacker now potentially attempts to live up to Defoe’s legendary status.
Sunderland make £13m bid to sign "goal machine" and want deal done ASAP
The Black Cats have included a buy-back clause.
ByCharlie SmithJul 28, 2025
