Sunderland are working on strengthening their squad this summer
While the wait goes on for Sunderland's first signing of the summer, Florent Ghisolfi is hard at work behind the scenes identifying targets and laying the groundwork on deals.
The Black Cats keep their cards close to their chest when it comes to incoming deals, but we still have had plenty of hints as to what they are targeting this summer and what the deals might look like...
Full back cover
Sunderland start pre-season two full backs down, with Dennis Cirkin having departed as a free agent and Lutsharel Geertruida's loan from RB Leipzig coming to an end. Trai Hume's ability to play in both positions and do so very well gives the Black Cats real strength, but they need one more.
Sunderland of course remain interested in striking a permanent deal for Geertruida, though a new fee would have to be negotiated now that the option has expired.
The Black Cats would ideally like to pay a lower fee, while the player himself is likely to take some time to weigh up his options after the World Cup. Sunderland were interested in Óscar Mingueza, a free agent following his departure from Celta Vigo, though he has since joined Crystal Palace. Like Geertruida, Mingueza is primarily a right back who is comfortable playing across the back four and can step into a midfield role, giving us a pretty clear picture of what Ghisolfi is looking for.
Left-sided centre back
Omar Alderete was one of Sunderland's best signings last summer, a bargain addition who was crucial to the team's success both in and out of possession. Sunderland placed a huge workload on him, however, and know that they need more cover for an expanded schedule this season. Luke O'Nien's excellent form towards the end of last season gives them welcome additional depth but given their lengthy and ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Jhon Lucumí last summer, it is no surprise that they are clearly looking to add another long-term option in this position before the window closes.
Lucumí has been mentioned again as a potential target with just one year now left to run on his Bologna contract, while Sassuolo's Bosnian international Tarik Muharemović has been heavily linked. Parma's Mariano Troilo is another linked earlier this summer and both aged 23, Muharemović and Troilo would fit the bill of adding a first-team ready player still with room to develop and grow their value.
Right-sided forward
While Trai Hume did well on the right wing over the course of last season, Sunderland ideally want to play with two more natural wingers and are short of options following Bertrand Traoré's departure. The Black Cats have an interest in Matías Soulé, who Florent Ghisolfi initially brought to AS Roma. Soulé will almost certainly be one of a number of options in this position, but it gives us a very good guide as to the club's thinking. The Argentinian is very good in 1-v-1 situations as Le Bris demands from his wingers, and also has the versatility to play further infield which would add extra versatility over the course of the campaign.
It would take a significant fee to land Soulé, which is a reminder of how much higher the stakes are for Sunderland this summer. They're working to sign a smaller number of high-calibre players, and will be investing major sums to do so. It means they can't afford to get it wrong, and have to be patient to land the right target at the right price.
Where else might Sunderland recruit this summer?
Sunderland have of course sold Eliezer Mayenda to Stade Rennais and so may need further cover in that position, though they could of course look to sign a right-sided forward who can play as a second striker. If interest in Wilson Isidor does progress over the summer, though as of yet there have been no indications of that happening, then they would certainly need to go back into the market.
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