The Black Cats have been scouring Europe for additions to Regis Le Bris' squad
Sunderland have been linked with Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia (left) and Matteo Guendouzi of SS Lazio
Sunderland have been linked with Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia and Matteo Guendouzi of SS Lazio (right)
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Spoprting director Kristjaan Speakman is looking to make reinforcements to the Sunderland squad with the groundwork well underway.
According to reports in Italy and Spain the Black Cats are in pursuit of Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi and Real Madrid striker Gonzalo García.
The cost would be close to £45m and Sunderland’s recruitment department continue to be linked with the ambitious moves ahead of the January transfer window.
According to Il Messaggero, Sunderland and Aston Villa both made enquiries over Guendouzi during the summer window, and the Serie A club may be forced to revisit their stance in the coming weeks.
The 26-year-old, well known in England from his spell at Arsenal, has slipped down the France pecking order and is said to be growing frustrated in Rome. Lazio’s precarious financial position means they could listen to offers.
Guendouzi has previously spoken glowingly about Black Cats head coach Régis Le Bris following the time they were together at Lorient in France.
Back in May he said: “Honestly, his results at Sunderland don’t surprise me… A year with him is perhaps the equivalent of three with other coaches. “Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Meanwhile, Spanish publication Fichajes report that Sunderland are also among the clubs monitoring García, who is attracting attention across the Premier League after a breakout year in Spain.
Madrid have allegedly received contact from Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wolves, with the trio said to be willing to offer around £18m.
The Black Cats were linked with García several times during the summer as part of their long-term forward planning.
The 21-year-old enhanced his reputation at the FIFA Club World Cup by scoring four times, including goals against Al-Hilal, Red Bull Salzburg and a last-16 winner against Juventus, finishing the competition as top scorer. Madrid awarded him a new deal through to 2030.
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus appeared on Sky Sports recently to reveal the club were preparing themselves for “all scenarios” ahead of January.
"Obviously if we would have been in the bottom three by Christmas or we are in the top six at Christmas, that changes the ambition a little bit. We are currently preparing for all scenarios," he said.
“But we’ve been doing that since the summer. So hopefully we will be going into the January window with a top ten finish in mind and we will prepare and execute the transfer window to give us the best chance."
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