adminDONE DEAL; Sunderland sign £12m winger and Bournemouth star in bold January transfer window prediction
Sunderland Predicted to Spend £40m in January Transfer Window – According to Football Manager 2026
Sunderland’s impressive start to the new Premier League campaign might have fans dreaming big, and if their summer business is anything to go by, another busy transfer period could be on the horizon.
According to Football Manager 2026, the Black Cats are set to splash around £40 million during the January window.
Predicting how Régis Le Bris will look to strengthen his squad isn’t simple, so we turned to the ultimate football simulation tool for insight. Using the brand-new Football Manager 2026, we jumped ahead to see what the game believes Sunderland will do come January.
The verdict? A hefty £40m outlay to ensure Premier League survival — a mission they apparently accomplished, though a top-four finish remained out of reach. Perhaps the game’s realism only goes so far…
Sunderland’s Predicted January Signings (FM26 Simulation)
Saïd El Mala – £12m from 1.FC Köln
Sunderland’s most expensive signing in the simulation was 20-year-old German winger Saïd El Mala. Blessed with pace, flair, and excellent dribbling, he looks destined to become a fan favourite. While he didn’t find the net after joining, his performances were solid — and if his in-game potential reflects reality, he’d be an exciting addition.
Merih Demiral – Free from Al-Ahli
One of the savviest moves saw Sunderland pick up former Juventus and Atalanta centre-back Merih Demiral for nothing. We’ve previously noted how Al-Ahli were eager to offload him in FM26, and while his form in the simulation was mixed, signing such an experienced defender for free is hard to criticise.
Efraín Álvarez – £8.25m from Chivas
The Mexican international forward might not be a household name in England, but FM26 rates him highly. Sunderland paid just over £8m and were rewarded with four goals that helped secure their top-flight status. A versatile attacker and a real bargain at that fee.
Yukinari Sugawara – Loan-to-buy (£13m) from Southampton
The Japanese full-back endured a rocky spell at Southampton in real life, but the game sees him rediscovering form on Wearside. Not the flashiest signing, but a dependable one who added depth and stability to the back line.
James Hill – £500k from Bournemouth
Signed primarily as a squad player, Hill moved for a mere half a million pounds. The young defender may not stand out, but as low-cost cover, it’s a deal that makes sense.
Adrián Bernabé – £6.25m from Parma
The Spanish midfielder, formerly of Manchester City’s academy, joined for a modest fee but only made five appearances. A tireless box-to-box option, Bernabé looked good value on paper, though he didn’t have a major impact.
Outgoings: Balancing the Books
Alan Browne – £2.1m to Middlesbrough
While no major stars departed, Sunderland did make a few sales. Browne’s permanent move to Boro — where he’s currently on loan in real life — was finalised, helping trim the wage bill without hurting the squad’s depth.
Luke O’Nien – £300k to Watford
A cult hero of the promotion campaign, O’Nien couldn’t quite cut it in the Premier League. In the simulation, he joined Watford for just £300k, making only one top-flight appearance before being moved on. Football can be ruthless.
Arthur Masuaku – Free to Eyüpspor
One of Sunderland’s summer recruits didn’t last long. Left-back Masuaku failed to feature at all before heading to Turkish side Eyüpspor — perhaps the only club in Turkey that sounds like it belongs in Yorkshire.
In total, Football Manager 2026 predicts a proactive January for Sunderland, with £40m spent and survival secured. If Le Bris and his recruitment team even come close to replicating that success in reality, fans at the Stadium of Light should be in for an exciting second half of the season.
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