Sunderland explored a potential signing of former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita this summer but could not reach an agreement with the player, who is now in talks with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir. Despite their inability to sign contracted players until January, Sunderland has made significant additions to their squad, currently leading the Championship after a strong start under new manager Regis Le Bris. The team signed players like Ahmed Abdullahi and Chris Mepham to bolster their ranks, but they are still in search of an experienced striker after failing to secure one on deadline day. While Sunderland's transfer activity is largely complete until January, other European leagues remain open, potentially allowing for outgoing transfers involving their players. The club is also monitoring the free-agent market for possible signings, although their current squad depth may reduce the urgency for such moves. Overall, Sunderland aims to maintain their momentum in the league while navigating the complexities of the transfer market.