Sunderland have been linked with Lucas Stassin, Swedish international defender Emil Holm and Lutsharel Geertruida
Sunderland target Lucas Stassin is reportedly the subject of concrete talks with Portuguese giants FC Porto.
The 21-year-old Saint-Etienne striker is expected to move on this summer after an impressive campaign in France, with Sunderland among the clubs credited with interest in the Belgian forward. Stassin scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in 31 Ligue 2 appearances last season, underlining his status as one of the more interesting young attacking options on the market.
Reports have suggested Saint-Etienne have already rejected early approaches and have set a major asking price for the Belgium international. That figure is understood to be €35million plus €7million in add-ons - which works out at roughly £29.9million plus £6million, or around £35.9million in total.
Porto are now said to have concrete talks ongoing for the striker, which could complicate matters for Sunderland if their interest develops further. The Portuguese side won the league title last season and can offer Stassin a major European platform.
Sunderland, though, would also fit the profile of the step up he is believed to be seeking. The Black Cats are preparing for another Premier League campaign under Régis Le Bris and will also be able to offer Europa League football next season.
Stassin has come through Belgium’s youth ranks and has also been capped at senior international level. His age, profile and output would make him an obvious fit for Sunderland’s recruitment model, with the club continuing to target players who can improve immediately while also carrying significant future resale value.
The Black Cats are active on several fronts this summer, with Florent Ghisolfi also looking to push down the price of Lutsharel Geertruida after his loan spell from RB Leipzig. The Dutch defender is rated at around the £20million mark and is currently at the World Cup.
Sunderland have also been named among the admirers of Bologna’s Swedish international defender Emil Holm, who spent last season on loan at Juventus. Holm is valued somewhere in the £10million to £20million range, making him another potentially interesting defensive target with the Black Cats shopping in that price range successfully last season with additions of Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete.
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