‘Sunderland dealt major Joe Gomez blow amid Liverpool transfer development’
Sunderland have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Liverpool defender Joe Gomez as the Mackems look to ready themselves for next season’s Premier League.
Regis Le Bris’ men desperately need to add top-flight quality to their ranks this summer after winning promotion from the Championship.
With that in mind, Jordan Henderson has been linked with a Sunderland return, having finished second in the Eredivisie with Ajax last term.
However, one tried and tested Premier League player who may not be allowed to join the Black Cats this summer is Gomez.
Jarell Quansah sale set to scupper Sunderland move for Gomez
Arne Slot is strengthening his squad at Anfield after winning the Premier League title last season, while Liverpool are closing in on Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
But in order to bring such star-studded quality to Merseyside, the Reds will also have to sell some of their current talent this summer.
Meanwhile, as revealed by Sky Sports News’ Lyall Thomas via X, Leverkusen are in talks to sign defender Jarell Quansah from Liverpool in separate negotiations to that of Wirtz.
It was revealed by The Guardian on Thursday, 18 June, that Sunderland had joined the race for Gomez alongside the likes of North East rivals Newcastle United.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, Ian Darke outlined that the 15-cap England international would be a ‘fantastic signing’ for the Black Cats.
However, if Liverpool sell Quansah, that would leave Slot with Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konate as his only senior centre-backs, making them unwilling to part company with the former Charlton Athletic man.
Premier League fixture list has been kind to Le Bris
Football Insider verdict
While Sunderland now appear set to miss out on Gomez’s signature, the Black Cats must turn their attention elsewhere when it comes to adding Premier League experience to their defensive ranks.
| Sunderland’s opening three fixtures | Premier League 2025/26 |
| 16/08 | West Ham (H) |
| 23/08 | Burnley (A) |
| 30/08 | Brentford (H) |
The likes of Luke O’Nien and Dan Ballard have never played in the top flight before, demonstrating how much of an uphill battle against relegation the Mackems could find themselves in.
Le Bris has never managed in the Premier League either, but the Stadium of Light club have been handed favourable fixtures at the start of next season.
Enjoying a positive start to the new campaign could hand Sunderland a major advantage over potential relegation rivals such as fellow newly promoted duo Leeds United and Burnley.
In their opening fixture, Le Bris’ men host a West Ham outfit who struggled under Graham Potter’s stewardship last season, finishing just 14th after previously managing a top-half spot under David Moyes.
The Black Cats then travel to last season’s promotion rivals Burnley before hosting Brentford in their second home game, while the Bees could struggle to acclimatise following Thomas Frank’s departure.