Revealed: How much Sunderland AFC paid in agents fees this season | OneFootball

It goes without saying that running a Championship club costs a lot of money, and there is often money spent on things that the normal football fan wouldn't consider.

Whilst supporters are well aware of the amount of huge sums of money spent on transfer fees and wages, one of the things that often goes under the radar is the money clubs spend on agent fees.

Whether supporters like it or not, agents have a huge say in the game nowadays, and they're always looking to get the best deal for their players, often to the annoyance of football clubs.

This means that clubs up and down the country spend money on agent fees, and it can actually cost millions of pounds each season, and it's been no different at Sunderland this season.

According to Wales Online, Sunderland have spent £1,606,021 on agent fees this season.

This is clearly a lot of money, and puts them in the top ten Championship clubs for money spent on agent fees, ahead of Tees-Wear derby rivals Middlesbrough, who are just behind them in 11th place after spending a reported £1,444,183.

In total, £61,340,767 was spent across the Championship, a huge increase of over £25million from the £36,317,802 paid last year. This is thanks to the trio of relegated Premier League clubs who have spent extortionate sums of money on agent fees this season.

Leeds United spent an eye-watering £13,287,784 on agent fees this season, the highest in the Championship, and they were followed by fellow relegated teams Leicester City and Southampton with fees of £8,113,789 and £7,535,386 respectively.

This amount of money is more than most Championship clubs spend on transfer fees, and shows what the likes of Sunderland are trying to compete with when it comes to financial spending power.

At the other end of the spectrum are the likes of Rotherham United, who spent just £440,671 on agent fees, and they were followed by newly promoted pair Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle with fees of £508,562 and £586,849 respectively.

This goes to show the vast differences in spending power, with Leeds United having spent a whopping £12,847,113 more than Rotherham United.

Sunderland will have to be smarter in the summer transfer window

Sunderland's summer 2023 transfer strategy didn't work as intended, with the club signing a number of young, promising strikers who have been unable to find the back of the net on a regular basis.

The likes of Mason Burstow, Luis Semedo, Naz Rusyn and Eliezer Mayenda, who has since joined Hibernian on loan, have all underwhelmed at the Stadium of Light, and the club are crying out for a new striker this summer.

Rangers man Kemar Roofe has been linked with the likes of Fulham, Sheffield United, and Southampton and whilst it may be a tad ambitious, Sunderland should join the race for his signature and make a big statement that they mean business next season.

The Black Cats transfer strategy is admirable, but they need experienced players through the door this summer to avoid a season of disappointment like this campaign has been.

Being linked with experienced Oxford United man Josh Murphy is a start, and more of that is needed this summer.

The Black Cats are going to need to be smarter this summer, and they need to ensure they get value for their money this time around.