Sunderland don't want to just make up the numbers next season in the Premier League.

Indeed, the Black Cats' early summer business indicates that they are going to splash the cash to try and stave off an immediate Championship return, with a club-record £30m spent on acquiring Habib Diarra from Strasbourg.

That's before you even consider the long-winding list of names being linked to the Stadium of Light, with ex-Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi one standout face on their reported shopping list, alongside names such as Hamed Traore also being tipped to relocate to Wearside for a high £18m.

Of course, Sunderland are no strangers to such a statement deal when trying to achieve something remarkable like survival in the Premier League, with Enzo Le Fee the talk of the town when he moved to England earlier this year.

Le Fee's early impact at Sunderland

When Le Fee initially linked up with the Black Cats in January on loan, his much-talked-about arrival was secured to try and push Le Bris' side back up to the promised land.

It ended up being a mission success, thankfully, with Le Fee's stylish presence helping Sunderland in some nervy promotion-deciding moments, as seen in him registering two vital assists in the playoff semi-final first and second legs versus Coventry City.

Also chipping in with a goal during Sunderland's intense promotion run-in, Black Cats supporters far and wide must have been scratching their eyes watching such an immense talent strut his stuff in the Championship, considering he was lining up for Italian giants AS Roma just before his switch to Wearside.

On top of that, he also collected a hefty total of 28 goals and assists on the books of both Rennes and Lorient, with Le Bris clearly flexing his ex-Lorient connections to surprisingly pick up Le Fee, who is now a permanent member of his Premier League camp after joining for good for £20m.

Another bold move similar to the Frenchman's shock switch could soon be signed off on if rumours are correct, with this potential deal perhaps going down as an even bigger signing than the 25-year-old's entry if the enigmatic star in question can instantly settle.

The "phenomenon" who could be a bigger signing than Le Fee

Le Bris loves hopping into the Ligue 1 market when attempting to unearth potential Sunderland gems, with Diarra the next notable face from the French top division being given a chance to shine in Wearside.

Lyon superstar Georges Mikautadze could be the next to fall off the ambitious Ligue 1 conveyor belt, with French outlet Foot Mercato revealing that Sunderland are one of a number of clubs across Europe keeping a close eye on the entertaining Georgian amidst Lyon's financial woes.

Mikautadze might end up joining the Sunderland ranks for only £1m more than Le Fee, which would be an almighty steal when you consider the many dazzling performances the 24-year-old forward served up under Paolo Fonseca last season.

In total, the attacking "phenomenon" - as he has been labelled in the past by former boss Emilio Ferrera - would hammer home 17 goals and pick up nine assists in all competitions, even as background noise threatened to unsettle the now Ligue 2 outfit.

When digging even deeper and analysing the table above, his numbers overall when playing in France - away from just being Lyon's main attacking spark - blow Le Fee's own tally even more out of the water, with a ridiculous 79 combined goals and assists coming his way for both Metz and his current employers.

With all of this on his side, there will be so much hope in the air that Mikautadze can be a rip-roaring success in England, much like Le Fee has managed to be.

If anything, having also been hailed as a "living legend" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Mikautadze might well be even more of an enticing watch, particularly if his enthralling displays ensure immediate Premier League safety.