With another crucial summer transfer window ahead, Sunderland could look to the free agent market for value, so we’ve picked out six out-of-contract Premier League players and assessed whether they’d be smart additions for the 2026/2027 campaign!
Harry Wilson (Fulham)
A name linked with Sunderland for months, Wilson would be a welcome addition in a position that needs strengthening, particularly after Bertrand Traoré’s departure was confirmed.
The Welsh winger enjoyed the best season of his career in 2025/2026, registering
ten goals and seven assists in thirty six Premier League appearances. Unsurprisingly, there’s no shortage of interest, with Fulham keen to retain him and several Premier League clubs monitoring his situation.
A move to Wearside would offer European football and add proven attacking quality down the right flank.
However, while Wilson represents a relatively low-risk signing, his age (thirty) and likely wage demands could prove stumbling blocks. Sunderland have been disciplined with their wage structure and Wilson doesn’t fit the usual profile of player the club would break the bank for.
It would be a strong signing, but one that currently feels unlikely.
John Stones (Manchester City)
A serial winner with experience at the very highest level, Stones will have plenty of options this summer.
Still an outstanding defender both on and off the ball, he would bring invaluable Premier League and European pedigree to a relatively young Sunderland squad, while adding further quality to an already impressive backline.
Defensive reinforcements are likely to be on the agenda — particularly if Lutsharel Geertruida doesn’t return permanently. Realistically, Stones feels an unlikely target, with a move abroad or a return to Everton appearing more probable, in my opinion.
However, it’s the sort of signing that would send a clear message about Sunderland’s ambitions.
Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur)
Bissouma is another free agent that could attract interest from Sunderland this summer.
The Mali international joined Spurs from Brighton for £30 million in 2022 after establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s top holding midfielders during a four-year spell on the south coast.
However, his time in North London never quite lived up to expectations, with injuries, inconsistent form and off-field issues limiting his impact. However, he still played an important role in Spurs’ Europa League triumph in 2024/2025 before falling out of favour under Thomas Frank.
Sunderland have developed a reputation for revitalising careers in recent years, with players such as Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke flourishing on Wearside, and playing alongside experienced leaders like Granit Xhaka could provide the ideal environment for Bissouma to rediscover his best form.
There would undoubtedly be some risk attached to the deal, but if Sunderland could get him back to his Brighton level, we’d be signing a midfielder with genuine top-class Premier League quality.
Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace)
I was surprised to see Kamada’s contract at Crystal Palace expire this summer, although far less surprised to learn the Eagles have offered him an extension.
The Japanese international may not be the most eye-catching player, but he is a reliable performer who consistently delivers solid displays, and Kamada also brings significant European pedigree.
He played a key role in Crystal Palace’s Europa Conference League triumph last season and was part of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Europa League-winning side in 2021/22, both under Oliver Glasner. He also remains an important figure for Japan and could be instrumental if they make a deep run at this summer’s World Cup.
That connection with Glasner may ultimately decide his future. Having thrived under the Austrian at both Frankfurt and Palace, it would be no surprise to see Kamada follow his former manager wherever he ends up this summer.
As a result, while he would be an excellent addition — although Sunderland would likely face an uphill battle to secure his signature.
Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United)
With Dennis Cirkin departing, Sunderland will almost certainly be in the market for a backup left back this summer and Malacia could be an intriguing option as he looks to rebuild his career after a difficult spell at Manchester United.
The Dutch defender has already shown his quality, winning the KNVB Cup and Dutch Super Cup with Feyenoord before helping PSV secure the Eredivisie title during a loan spell that aided his recovery from a eighteen-month injury absence. He was also part of the Netherlands squad for the 2022 World Cup, underlining the talent he possesses.
Sunderland’s growing Dutch contingent could help Malacia settle on Wearside, particularly if Lutsharel Geertruida joins permanently, having previously played alongside him at Feyenoord.
At just twenty six, there’s still plenty of time for Malacia to revive his career and with quality cover for Reinildo needed ahead of a busy season, he could be a smart addition to the squad.
Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Another player whose career has stalled since a high-profile move to Manchester United, Sancho showed enough at Aston Villa last season to suggest he still possesses the quality that once justified a £73 million transfer fee.
As a homegrown player, he would also help Sunderland meet important Europa League squad requirements, yet the obvious obstacle is wages.
Sancho is reportedly earning around £200,000 per week at United, a figure Sunderland would never contemplate matching. Equally, the winger may be reluctant to take a substantial pay cut, although his options could be limited after a difficult few years.
Sancho also brings valuable European experience having been part of Aston Villa’s Europa League-winning campaign last season. If a deal could somehow be made financially viable, his quality and big-game experience would make him a fascinating addition to Sunderland’s squad.
It seems unlikely Sunderland will sign many, if any, of the players mentioned above, but the free agent market is one worth exploring given the quality available.
Whatever happens, there’s plenty of trust in Florent Ghisolfi and the club’s recruitment team to make the right decisions and build on an outstanding first season back in the Premier League.
