After qualifying for the Europa League, Sunderland need to use the upcoming summer transfer window to add more depth and quality to their squad.

The Black Cats will have at least eight extra matches to contend with and head coach Regis Le Bris has admitted that he would like around four new signings to bolster his options across the pitch.

Those four signings should be top-quality additions who raise the ceiling for Sunderland and allow them to compete in both the Europa League and the Premier League.

The goalkeeper and defence

The Black Cats do not need a new goalkeeper as one of those four signings because Robin Roefs enjoyed a terrific first season in English football, keeping ten clean sheets in 35 league matches.

There could be a new arrival at right-back, though, because the club have been linked with an interest in West Ham United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is available for a fee of up to £20m.

Signing the DR Congo international could allow Nordi Mukiele to play more games in a centre-back position and add more quality and depth to the defence for Le Bris, taking advantage of West Ham's relegation to snap him up.

There does not seem to be any urgent need to make any further frontline additions to the back four, but adding more depth with a free agent or a loan could be something that they explore in the coming weeks and months.

The midfield

Sunderland already have the core of an incredibly strong midfield with Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki, who both started at least 32 times in the Premier League, but they could add another option in the middle of the park.

The Black Cats were recently linked with an interest in a deal to sign £25m-rated Celtic central midfielder Arne Engels, who can play as a number eight or as a number ten, suiting Le Bris' flexible tactics.

Since joining the Scottish giants in 2024, the Belgium international has racked up 17 goals and 21 assists in 98 appearances, showing off his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

Engels played in the Europa League for Celtic this season and provided outstanding creativity, with seven 'big chances' created in eight appearances in the competition.

Xhaka and Sadiki produced seven assists between them in the Premier League this term, and the Belgian could come through the door at the Stadium of Light to offer more as a creator for Le Bris.

The attack

In the attack, Sunderland could pursue a new right winger after resorting to using right-back Trai Hume as a starter on the right wing on ten occasions this season.

They have been linked with an interest in Leicester City forward Abdul Fatawu, who is available for £20m after their relegation to League One, and he could be an excellent addition to the squad.

The Ghana international created 40 'big chances' and scored 15 goals in two seasons in the Championship with the Foxes, and could offer a big threat at the top end of the pitch for the Black Cats, cutting in on his left foot from the right wing.

Le Bris could also target a new centre-forward to compete with Brian Brobbey, as the club have been linked with a move for Juventus number nine Jonathan David.

It has been reported that the Canada international could be available for a fee of just £22m, which would be a bargain for a player with his goalscoring record in Europe.

Prior to his season in Turin, David scored 19 or more goals in four successive seasons for Lille in France, which suggests that he has the potential to be a big upgrade on Brobbey, who scored seven goals in the Premier League this term.

The Canadian star's ability to score goals consistently could be a huge asset to the team, particularly in Europe, and that could mean that he takes the Dutchman's place as the main number nine on Weaside.

With Premier League and Europa League football on the horizon, there will be plenty of rotation and there may not be a favoured starting XI that starts most weeks, but these four signings, brought in for a combined £87m, could all slot into the same line-up.

It is now up to the board, though, to go out into the market to secure deals for these players to provide Le Bris with the reinforcements that he has asked for.