The latest transfer talk from Sunderland as the Black Cats are linked with a midfielder impressing in the Belgian league.
Sunderland are preparing for another crucial summer transfer window as Regis Le Bris prepares his squad for their Europa League campaign.
The Black Cats will compete in Europe for only the second time in their history after last weekend’s home win against Chelsea claimed an outstanding seventh placed finish in the club’s first season back in the Premier League. There will be a need to boost Le Bris’ squad as they look to build on the foundations of a stunning season - but it seems unlikely the summer trading will match the level of business conducted just under 12 months ago.
Speaking after his side secured a historic venture into the European football with a win against the Blues, Le Bris said: “The transfer window will still be important because the recruitment phase will influence the whole season. If you make a mistake, it can be hard, although it is never easy to anticipate everything.
“You always assess a player in a different environment, with different connections, a different background, different team-mates and opponents. It is hard to anticipate how they will react to a new club but I think the structure is getting better – we are much better aligned, with more people. We have more tools and options to see the full market. Before we had to make different decisions with a focus on certain countries and markets - now it is possible to go a bit wider. We will see what happens this summer."
Sunderland have already been linked with several possible additions to their squad and French outlet Foot Sur 7 claimed the Black Cats are competing with fellow Europa League qualifiers Marseille for the signature of Charleroi and Algeria midfielder Yassine Titraoui. The 22-year-old has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 74 appearances for the Belgian outfit over the last two seasons and has now reportedly attracted interest from elsewhere.
The report claims Marseille sporting director Gregory Lorenzi is leading discussions over a deal to take Titraoui to the Ligue 1 club - but there is also a suggestion the five-times capped Algerian international favours a move to Sunderland and will be ‘motivated by a more financially attractive proposal’ from the Black Cats with a fee between £7m and £10.5m suggested.
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