Key areas Cats could target in transfer window after Louis-Dreyfus comments

Recruitment has arguably been the central pillar of Sunderland's stellar start to their long-awaited Premier League return.

- by Sport Reporter

Sunderland's sporting director Kristiaan Speakman and owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus

The Black Cats went big during the summer transfer window, bringing in 14 new players and spending in excess of £150 million as they looked to build a squad capable of retaining its place in the top flight this term.

You would have to say that it has been a case of 'so far, so good'.

Regis Le Bris' men are currently fourth in the table, seven points behind league leaders Arsenal, but perhaps more pertinently, nine points clear of the bottom three.

And with their recent purple patch, Sunderland may also have undergone something of a shift in aspirations for the remainder of the season.

Speaking last week, Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus hinted that he is now eyeing a top-half finish, and could look to enact more investment in January to help the Black Cats get there.

Louis-Dreyfus said: "I think the stats showed to us that unless you do something extraordinary you're likely going to go back to the Championship.