Sunderland have enjoyed a fruitful transfer window so far and their latest signing has given them a big advantage over fellow Premier League newcomers Leeds United and Burnley.

Sunderland have announced eight signings so far, bringing in Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Robin Roefs and Simon Adingra.

However, Leeds United have also strengthened considerably with seven signings of their own, while Burnley have brought in 10 new players.

All three sides have been after one player in particular, but Sunderland have won that race at the expense of their fellow promoted sides.

Marc Guiu could make huge difference for Sunderland as Leeds and Burnley lose race for Chelsea ace

TBR Football recently confirmed that Sunderland have agreed a loan move for Chelsea’s Marc Guiu, who is set to become the Black Cats’ ninth summer signing.

The Blues have given Guiu the green light to undergo a medical at Wearside and his move should be announced in due course.

Guiu is highly rated at Chelsea, so much so that Sunderland’s move is only a straight loan with no option to buy, suggesting the Blues see him as having a future at Stamford Bridge.

The 19-year-old made a big impression in the Europa Conference League last season, scoring six times including a hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers and a brace against FC Astana.

Chelsea cult hero Joe Cole likened Guiu’s style of play to that of Luis Suarez last year, while Goal.com deemed him a ‘physically gifted and ruthless No. 9’.

It’s not very often that a 19-year-old Premier League forward gets loaned out to a club in the same division, so Sunderland will be pleased to have got themselves such a player for the year.

And not only will Guiu strengthen Sunderland’s front line, but Leeds and Burnley have been deprived of the Chelsea ace and the firepower he would have brought to their respective teams.

Sunderland have effectively won this ‘relegation six-pointer’ in the transfer market, taking the points – or in this case, the player – while depriving their rivals of said spoils.

READ MORE: Granit Xhaka completely embarrasses Erik ten Hag after what was said amid Sunderland move

The other potential difference-maker for Sunderland

While Guiu is set to be an exciting signing for Sunderland, the real difference-maker for the Black Cats is likely to be Xhaka, who has just joined from Bayer Leverkusen.

Not only does the 32-year-old bring immense quality on the pitch, but his leadership qualities will be crucial for a team whose primary goal is to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

Indeed, Patrik Schick has claimed that Xhaka is a more significant loss for Leverkusen – who he captained before his move – than both Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.

“I think that’s the biggest loss,” he told Blick. “He (Xhaka) was the most important player for the whole team. He was a leader. He was the player with the most experience.”