Sunderland Plans Premier League Recruitment Focused on Youth, Europe

Sunderland will return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence, facing a significant challenge to build a competitive squad that can survive at the top level, focusing on quality over quantity in their recruitment and transfer strategy. Nottingham Forest is actively strengthening their squad to cope with the demands of the upcoming season and their first European campaign in 30 years, aiming to bolster attack and defensive options while managing their budget under profit and sustainability rules. Forest is closing in on a triple signing from Botafogo and looking to extend contracts of key full-backs, while Harry Toffolo is expected to leave, potentially moving to Rangers. Despite finishing seventh and missing Champions League qualification, Forest aims to build on their breakthrough season under Nuno Espirito Santo with targeted transfers and squad depth improvements. The club prioritizes maintaining a strong spine and supplementing the team to handle the extra fixtures from European competition. Meanwhile, Derby County reflects fondly on Steve McClaren’s impactful tenure, highlighting his tactical acumen that brought the club close to Premier League promotion in 2014.