Sunderland are believed to be looking to sign an "elite" attacking player during the summer transfer window ahead of rivals Leeds United.
Sunderland agree Alderete fee
It has been a relentless summer for the Black Cats in the market, with Regis Le Bris adding a huge amount of depth to his squad ahead of their return to the Premier League.
The latest addition for Sunderland looks likely to be Getafe defender Omar Alderete, with a £10m deal reportedly agreed to sign the 28-year-old. The Paraguayan started 34 La Liga matches last season, proving to be a key man, winning an average of three aerial duels per game.
Black Cats supporters will certainly be hoping that the club's summer business still isn't done there, however, with Sevilla centre-back Loic Bade also strongly linked with a move to Stadium of Light in recent days.
Now, a new name has been thrown into the mix for Sunderland, as they look to bring in additional quality at the other end of the pitch ahead of their Premier League opener at home to West Ham on Saturday.
According to Il Messaggero [via Sport Witness], Sunderland have made an approach for Roma forward Artem Dovbyk ahead of fellow promoted side Leeds United.
The 28-year-old is wanted by both promoted Premier League clubs, and West Ham, with his current club demanding over £23m for his signature this summer, with the Black Cats making an enquiry.
roma-artem-dovbyk-leeds
Dovbyk is an experienced attacker who could add much-needed firepower to Sunderland's squad, having scored 17 goals in 45 appearances for Roma, not to mention 11 in 36 caps for Ukraine.
The attacking ace is right in his peak years, so it wouldn't be a case of the Black Cats signing a youngster who is still maturing, and journalist Zach Lowy has described him as an "elite" player.
"Victor Osimhen is going to be the most pursued center forward this summer but I don’t think Artem Dovbyk will be too far behind. He’s approaching the prime of his career as a CF and has proven to be not just a fantastic finisher, but an elite target man with link-up ability too."
If Sunderland were able to beat Leeds and West Ham to Dovbyk's signature, it would feel like an added bonus, especially in terms of getting the better of one of the other promoted sides from last season, as they have already done with midfielders Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki.
Plenty of goal threat is needed if Le Bris' men are to stand a good chance of avoiding a return to the Championship, and Dovbyk could be a strong addition to aid that issue.