Finance expert says Sunderland's BIG spend is a 'measured gamble'

Sunderland's £150million summer transfer spree has stunned the Premier League-but football finance expert and lifelong Black Cats supporter Chris Weatherspoon insists the club's approach under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus represents a 'measured gamble' rather than reckless spending.

- by Sport Reporter

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Weatherspoon - who covers football finance for The Athletic -said the scale of Sunderland's investment has shocked many, but explained why the club are in a position to spend big now without putting themselves at risk of breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

"The team that started in the playoff final cost less than £10million to assemble," Weatherspoon said.

"Rian Brewster, on the other side [Sheffield United], cost more than double that.

"They got promoted relatively cheaply, and I think that's why there's been surprise at how much they've spent this summer.

"I didn't expect them to spend this much - and apparently it's my job to!"

Weatherspoon believes Sunderland's previous restraint in the transfer market has been crucial in allowing them to invest aggressively this summer.

"I think there might have been one deal prior to getting promoted where they'd spent over £3million, and that's not clear," he explained.

"So I think there's that, but I think in terms of the rules, that's given them the space to do that."

Interestingly, Sunderland's four seasons in League One have actually given them an unexpected financial advantage compared to some long-term Championship clubs.