The last week has seen Sunderland complete deals for a number of players on Leeds United’s shortlist with the two sides seemingly targeting the same players after both were promoted.
Habib Diarra was the first, completing a move to Sunderland from Strasbourg to the tune of £35m. The Black Cats stole in and agreed to pay what Strasbourg wanted, with Leeds refusing to pay over the odds.
Then, Sunderland struck a deal for USG’s Noah Sadiki – another player on Leeds’ radar. Reinildo Mandava is another player Leeds have held talks for, but the former Atletico Madrid man is on his way to Wearside.
LeedsUnited.News understands that both Sunderland and Leeds have also held talks for Nantes forward Matthis Abline, who scored for France’s U21 side at this summer’s European Championships in Slovakia.
Regis Le Bris during Sunderland vs Coventry City.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Sunderland eyeing £8m England international on Leeds’ radar
Now, the two sides are doing battle for new goalkeepers. Djordje Petrovic and Lucas Perri have been on Leeds’ list for much of the summer, but The Guardian say that both clubs are eyeing both goalkeepers.
Indeed, it is said that one will get one, and the other will get the other. Whether that happens remains to be seen, especially after The Sun’s Alan Nixon says Sunderland want another goalkeeper on Leeds’ list.
Sam Johnstone ahead of a Wolves game against Ipswich Town.
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
The transfer expert says Sunderland are eyeing a move for Wolves’ Sam Johnstone. Johnstone has been linked with Leeds, with a fee of £8m required to tempt Wolves into a sale of Johnstone after just a year.
Sunderland and Leeds likely to continue fighting for players
Diarra, Mandava, Sadiki, Perri, Petrovic, Abline, Johnstone and even Marcin Bulka, the Polish goalkeeper who has opted to swap Nice for Neom with the newly-promoted Saudi Arabian side making moves.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke before a pre-season friendly against Manchester United.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Realistically, Leeds and Sunderland are fishing in the same pond. Both promoted to the Premier League, adopting the same strategy when it comes to signings – while Burnley go for more-experienced players.
The chances are, the two sides are going to bump into each other at the negotiating table a few more times before the end of the season. Whether Johnstone is another example, remains to be seen.