Sunderland have enjoyed quite the season. When Regis Le Bris guided the Wearsiders up into the Premier League, he would have been acutely aware that the previous six promoted sides all fell straight back down.

The Black Cats have not only bucked that trend, but exceeeded expectations by recording a seventh-place finish. Victory over Chelsea on the final game of the season secured Sunderland's place in next year's Europa League.

Pandemonion. Who could have foreseen this? Le Bris might have had an inkling that this squad had something special about them, but reaching Europe has been beyond most Wearsiders' dreams.

Now, the hard graft starts. Sunderland need to curb any talk of 'second-season syndrome' from the off, and it goes without saying that the summer transfer strategy has to be bang on the money.

Sunderland in talks to sign new attacker

Sunderland's 2025/26 campaign was built on strength and resilience and togetherness. Now, it's time for Le Bris' side to evolve, and to do that, they need more oomph in attack.

After all, Sunderland were among the least creative teams in the Premier League last season, even as they finished seventh.

While the likes of Chemsdine Talbi and Chris Rigg are coming through, some structural changes need to be made to see a more fluent outlook in the Premier League, especially at the Stadium of Light, but that's not to say that certain signings couldn't propel Sunderland in the right direction.

According to TEAMtalk, Sunderland are among the clubs who have made contact with AIK Stockholm as they consider a bid for wiyoung winger Zadok Yohanna this summer.

It's important to stress that Sunderland are not alone in their interest. Yohanna has many suitors, of which Newcastle are included, and teams like Brighton, Brentford and Crystal Palace too.

Most importantly, though, Newcastle United are among the frontrunners to sign the 18-year-old this summer. The Magpies have already tabled a £21m offer, and as they look to close a deal, Sunderland know they need to make a swift decision, whether they should act on their interest.

Why Yohanna is perfect for Sunderland

Rigg is the cream of Sunderland's up-and-coming youth. Indeed, he has cemented himself as a first-team regular this year after spending season upon season in the cockpit of the Black Cats' youth system.

Now, he could be surpassed by Yohanna, who has been hailed as a "complete nightmare" when on the ball by analyst Maaxi Angelo, so powerful and electric when driving forward, so exciting and unpredictable.

Rigg is not the same type of player. A "warrior" from his early days, says former boss Tony Mowbray, the high-octane attacking midfielder has made a name for himself down the right wing this season, but Yohanna could be a cut above, someone who can blend Rigg's elegance with the potency that so many teenagers struggle to produce and sustain.

In truth, Yohanna is young and inexperienced, having cut his teeth in Sweden after earlier days in his homeland with the Ikon Allah Academy. But his natural talent is clear to see, and Sunderland could be the perfect place for him to take the next step, a leap forward that would not see him thrown to the sidelines, as might be the case with Newcastle (who cannot offer him European football, of course).

Sunderland defied the odds by securing European football this season. Most designated relegation to the Black Cats at the start of the season.

Now, it's vital that Sunderland find a happy medium between maintaining fluency in the Premier League and pushing themselves to succeed out on the continent.

By signing a young but elite talent like Yohanna, Le Bris might just strike that perfect balance.