Sunderland Could Hatch Matias Soule Transfer Plan As Roma Eye Black Cats Winger - opinion

Over the course of the summer transfer window, Sunderland have been heavily linked with a move for AS Roma winger Matias Soule, with a £30m price touted for the exciting Argentinian talent.

As a result of Regis Le Bris’ struggles to fill the right-wing role last season, the Stadium of Light hierarchy are intent on spending a sizeable chunk of their summer transfer window kitty on a right-winger, and Soule has been the name most notably discussed with Sunderland, with fellow Premier League side Fulham also said to be suitors.

However, since the initial reports emerged earlier in the month, the transfer saga has seemingly gone quiet over the last fortnight, as the Black Cats begin their pre-season preparations.

Currently, Sunderland have yet to spend a penny on transfer fees this summer, with their only signing thus far being free-agent defender Thomas Meunier following his exit from Lille, which has concerned some supporters, given that the Premier League campaign begins in less than a month.

Considering the calibre of player that Soule is, and how crucial it is for Sunderland to sign a goal-threatening right-winger this summer, the Black Cats faithful are desperate to see the move finally materialise.

Thankfully, Sunderland may have just found an unconventional answer to help get the Soule signing over the line, save funds, and solve another transfer headache in the process.

With the prospective Soule to Sunderland transfer stalling, as Le Bris’ squad prepare for their upcoming pre-season clash against Premier League foes Leeds United at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey on Friday, Roma are reportedly interested in Black Cats winger Simon Adingra.

Italian outlet Tutto Mercato report that Sunderland wideman Adingra, who impressed on loan at Ligue 1 giants Monaco in the second half of last season with five goal contributions in 17 games, is an option for the Serie A side this summer after they missed out on Crysencio Summerville due to his £56m move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.

Furthermore, they suggest that Sunderland’s reported €35m/£30m valuation of 24-year-old Ivorian international Adingra “does not discourage Roma”, as the Italian giants evaluate multiple wide attacking options in the ongoing summer transfer window.

If the reports suggesting that Roma are interested in Adingra are true, then it offers Sunderland a golden bargaining chip to finally bring Soule to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland’s Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi and his recruitment team should use Roma’s interest in Adingra to their favour, and negotiate a potential swap deal, or use the former Brighton starlet as a sweetener in the move to reduce their outlay for Soule.

Considering that Soule would be of far greater importance to Sunderland next season than left-winger Adingra, who fell down the Black Cats pecking order under Le Bris due to the emergence of Chemsdine Talbi and the January signing of Nilson Angulo, a swap-plus-fee deal could potentially suit both clubs’ interests.

Whether Roma view Adingra as a concrete target rather than a name on the transfer shortlist remains to be seen, but if the Sunderland recruitment team could utilise him to bring Soule to Wearside, it would not only see a fringe player replaced with a marquee signing, but save the Black Cats sufficient funds to reinvest in other targets in the process.