Sunderland Transfer Links Show Exciting Ambition Amid Potential Club-record Move - comment

Upon their return to the Premier League last year, Sunderland went on to defy all expectations both inside the club and from outsiders, with the newly-promoted Black Cats finishing seventh and subsequently qualifying for the Europa League next season.

In last year’s summer transfer window, the lofty ambitions of the Stadium of Light hierarchy were evidenced by their business in the market, which saw the likes of Granit Xhaka, Brian Brobbey and club-record signing Habib Diarra join the Sunderland project alongside several other impressive talents.

Buoyed by Regis Le Bris’ quality squad, and with the future looking bright on Wearside due to their impending venture into European football, the Black Cats transfer team is primed to enjoy another superlative spending spree in the ongoing summer transfer window.

Since the window opened, the transfer stories surrounding Sunderland have mainly centred on outgoings, with fan-favourite Eliezer Mayenda completing a £23m move to Rennes in Ligue 1, and the Granit Xhaka to Chelsea saga, which thankfully concluded with the Swiss star reaffirming his commitment to the Black Cats recently.

However, what highlights the formidable ambitions of owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus et al, is the calibre of players that Sunderland have been linked with already in the summer window.

Within the window so far, the most exciting transfer rumour regarding the Black Cats encapsulates Sunderland’s interest in Roma winger Matias Soule, who has cemented himself as one of the most promising young attacking talents in the Serie A during his two campaigns at the Stadio Olimpico.

23-year-old Soule would be an incredible signing for Sunderland, given that he is precisely the profile of player that Le Bris requires in his squad, being a left-footed right-winger with a proven record for goal contributions, with the Argentinian notching 12 goals and 12 assists in 81 outings for Roma.

In addition to Soule, Sunderland have been linked with £22m-rated Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic recently, who has also established himself as one of the standout defenders in the Italian top flight this year, ranking in the top league’s three percentiles for defensive contributions last season.

Particularly regarding Soule, the Black Cats may well have to break their transfer record for a second consecutive summer to sign the £30m-rated Roma talent, but the Sunderland hierarchy would seemingly be intent on doing so, with Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi previously outlining that they are searching for quality over quantity in this window.

Given that Sunderland are reportedly interested in two of Serie A’s brightest young talents, which would cost upwards of £50m to bring to the Stadium of Light this summer, it clearly illustrates the riveting ambitions of the Stadium of Light decision-makers.

The Sunderland story took an unexpected yet exhilarating turn last season with Le Bris’ side’s remarkable finish, and with the calibre of players that the club are interested in this summer, and more marquee names set to be touted as potential signings, the Black Cats faithful will be collectively desperate for the next exciting chapter to commence.