Sunderland, again within the Premier League in 2025 after an eight-year absence, splashed the money in the summertime switch window.
The Black Cats made their mark within the window by spending greater than £100m on new additions, with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Habib Diarra shifting to the Stadium of Gentle.
Nevertheless, beforehand, Sunderland nearly signed some legends of the sport. From Virgil van Dijk to Kevin De Bruyne, the Black Cats almost landed these world-class stars.
10 gamers who Sunderland nearly signed
10
Virgil van Dijk
Between 2013 and 2015, Virgil van Dijk was starring for Celtic, whereas at Sunderland, Gus Poyet was in cost on the Stadium of Gentle.
Van Dijk beforehand admitted that he had conversations about signing for the Black Cats throughout Poyet’s tenure, nonetheless, he would as a substitute select one other workforce in pink and white stripes in Southampton.
9
Kevin De Bruyne
In 2011, Kevin De Bruyne was coming by in Belgium with Genk and was wished by then-Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.
The Black Cats and Aston Villa have been battling it out for De Bruyne, but it surely was Chelsea who gained the race. Issues didn’t work out for him at Stamford Bridge, nonetheless, he did grow to be a Premier League legend with Manchester Metropolis.
Kevin De Bruyne file vs Sunderland | |
|---|---|
Video games | 5 |
Wins | 4 |
Attracts | 0 |
Losses | 1 |
Targets | 2 |
Assists | 3 |
8
Diego Maradona
Again in 1977, Diego Maradona burst onto the scene as a teen and would make his Argentina debut.
At membership stage, the attacker was with Argentinos Juniors however truly wished to make the transfer to England and signal for Sunderland. Sadly for the Black Cats, Argentina declared Maradona ‘untransferrable’. Daniel Arcucci, who was the Argentinian’s biographer, stated:
“The primary provide that Maradona acquired was from England’s Sunderland in 1977 and Maradona wished to go. He stated ‘In the event that they don’t promote me to Sunderland, I’m retiring’. At the moment we didn’t have a democratic authorities they usually declared him untransferable, considered one of a bunch of gamers who have been untransferable.”
7
Luis Suarez
Sunderland have been on the seek for a brand new striker in 2010 to accomplice Darren Bent, and that man might have been Luis Suarez.
Suarez was at Ajax on the time and Sunderland despatched scouts to observe him, nonetheless, they as a substitute signed Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan following the World Cup, with Suarez the villain after his well-known handball on the most important stage.
6
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Sunderland tried to signal Zlatan Ibrahimovic on two events underneath Peter Reid within the early years of the enduring striker’s profession.
The Swede was scoring targets for enjoyable with Ajax and would go on to star for Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Man Utd.
“When he was at Ajax, we would moved to the Stadium of Gentle so I went over, had a gathering. I believed I had an opportunity, however no. We supplied £6mi which was first rate dough, however they wished extra.”
5
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Reid additionally tried to signal Ruud van Nistelrooy for Sunderland when the Dutchman was with Heerenveen.
The striker was nonetheless younger and had a £5m asking worth, one thing which the Black Cats determined in opposition to. Van Nistelrooy would then signal for PSV Eindhoven earlier than changing into a Manchester United legend.
“He’s a top quality participant and somebody we have been seeking to purchase three seasons in the past when he was nonetheless one thing of an unknown. It was simply after we began again within the First Division (Championship).
“On the time he was taking part in for Heerenveen and I feel he was solely 19. However they quoted us £5m which on the time was simply far too excessive a worth for a participant we couldn’t completely make sure could be a hit.”
4
Diego Forlan
One other former Man Utd striker who might have performed for Sunderland was Diego Forlan, who was wished by former Crimson Devils teammate Roy Keane throughout his time as Black Cats supervisor.
As a substitute of signing for Sunderland, although, Forlan moved to Atletico Madrid in 2007 from Villarreal.
“Roy Keane known as me when he was at Sunderland. ‘Diego’, he stated. ‘I do know you want a seashore — we’ve got one right here at Sunderland’.”
3
Paul Scholes
The 1996/97 Premier League season was the ultimate one at Roker Park and resulted in relegation for the Black Cats.
Nevertheless, it might have been completely different if Sunderland managed to signal Paul Scholes from Man Utd. The long-lasting English midfielder was into his third yr as an Outdated Trafford skilled, and he’d by no means grow to be out there regardless that the Black Cats have been determined to do a deal.
Paul Scholes file vs Sunderland | |
|---|---|
Video games | 15 |
Wins | 13 |
Attracts | 2 |
Losses | 0 |
Targets | 4 |
2
Robbie Keane
Arguably one of the vital underrated strikers in Premier League historical past, Robbie Keane might fairly simply have been a Sunderland participant in 2002.
In truth, the Black Cats agreed a payment with Leeds for the Irish ahead, however Keane would flip down a transfer north, becoming a member of Tottenham a yr later.
1
Joe Hart
A transfer to the Stadium of Gentle for goalkeeper Joe Hart, a four-time Premier League golden glove winner, was on the playing cards in 2016.
David Moyes was in cost and stated the membership might have landed the England shot-stopper, nonetheless, Hart himself stated he snubbed Sunderland, as a substitute signing on mortgage for Italian aspect Torino.
