Sunderland have succeeded. They will play in the Premier League next year, reprising their role in the top flight after an incredible rise in Regis Le Bris' system.

There have been bumps in the road since Christmas, with the defence lacking its former shine and the forwards struggling to fire on all cylinders, but this is a team of far more quality and cohesion than when last Sunderland played in the Premier League, sinking down into the Championship and then tumbling again into League One.

A well-worked summer strategy could propel the Wearsiders even higher up the table, but they are going to need to navigate a tricky transfer window.

Interest is growing in all-powerful skipper Granit Xhaka, but he's not the only midfielder who could be on the move, with Noah Sadiki also considering his options ahead of the transfer market.

Sunderland ready to pay for Sadiki replacement

For much of the campaign, it's been plain sailing for Sunderland, but recent months have indeed exposed flaws that need fixing this summer. There is a fear (not to be pessimistic) that the Black Cats could be pulled into a relegation battle next year, without the right investment.

After all, losing a midfielder as important as Sadiki would be a significant blow to Le Bris' system, built on strength and organisation and resilience. Should he leave, they would need the perfect replacement.

According to TEAMtalk, Sunderland are ready to pay FC Schalke's £10m asking price for 23-year-old midfielder Soufiane El-Faouzi, who could be on the move despite his side's recent promotion to the top tier of German football.

Could he replace Sadiki? This is certainly a possibility, with El-Faouzi bringing a rounded and athletic midfield style.

The German talent is coveted by a number of clubs, with Celtic the frontrunners, but if Sunderland are serious, they might just manage to secure the perfect Sadiki replacement.

Why El-Faouzi could be Sunderland's new Sadiki

El-Faouzi is a natural-born playmaker with a penchant for the physical side of the game. This would surely put him in good stead to succeed in a Sunderland shirt.

Instrumental in guiding Schalke back into the big time, the Morocco-born talent is a tireless runner with the right mentality to match. Such attributes aren't always easy to come by, and they are part of what has made Sadiki's season so special.

The DR Congo international is currently under consideration at Chelsea, and since he has been valued at £52m, it might be too good to resist a concrete bid.

However, if Le Bris was to get his hands on this one, carrying his form and numbers into the Premier League, it could even aid Sunderland's creative success, such as it has been this season.

Hailed for his "unique" technical profile by one analyst, this could be a significant move for a Sunderland side who cannot afford to make a muck of things in the summer transfer window.

The Black Cats' form has taken a hit in recent months, but they still stand proud as the best of the newly-promoted bunch. By replacing Sadiki with El-Faouzi this summer, Sunderland would dynamise their midfield and secure the perfect up-and-coming talent to offset Sadiki's absence by landing a top, more nuanced replacement.