Lamare Bogarde of Aston Villa
Lamare Bogarde of Aston Villa(Image: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock)
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Sunderland are said to be eyeing up a move for Aston Villa's Lamare Bogarde ahead of the summer transfer window.
The news comes amid mounting speculation that Black Cats skipper Granit Xhaka could be set to depart the club during the current window.
Regis Le Bris oversaw an impressive first campaign back in the Premier League with Sunderland last term, guiding the side to a seventh-place finish and securing a coveted Europa League berth for the coming season.
With European football on the horizon, Sunderland face the daunting task of assembling a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, though it appears increasingly doubtful that Xhaka will be part of their plans.
Reports surfaced over the weekend linking Xhaka with a switch to Chelsea, with a potential move to Stamford Bridge threatening to cut short his Stadium of Light career after just a single season, reports Chronicle Live.
However, Chronicle Live understands that Sunderland are yet to receive any formal approach from Chelsea regarding the Swiss international, while Sky Sports have also reported that the Black Cats have no intention of allowing Xhaka to depart this summer.
Nevertheless, it seems Sunderland may already be plotting contingency plans, with Villa's Bogarde emerging as the prime candidate to head to Wearside and step into the void that would be left by Xhaka's potential departure. Dutch publication Voetbal International reports that Sunderland hold a "concrete interest" in acquiring Bogarde's services, though they'll be battling Brighton for the midfielder's signature.
Both clubs are reportedly willing to shell out a "substantial fee" in their pursuit of the 22-year-old during the summer transfer window.
Bogarde turned out 44 times for Villa last season as they secured fourth spot in the Premier League and lifted the Europa League trophy.
The midfielder featured in 13 Europa League matches, though was an unused substitute in the final where Villa cruised to a 3-0 victory over Freiburg.
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