Let’s be honest: what this football club has achieved over the last 12 months is nothing short of a miracle. From Wembley play-off joy to securing a spot in Europe next season, watching the Lads completely defy the odds has been the ride of a lifetime. But as the old saying goes, the reward for good work is just more work. With the Europa League about to test the absolute limits of our squad depth, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and the recruitment team can’t afford to rest on their laurels.
While our attacking talent routinely grabs the headlines, anyone who watched us grind out results last season knows our defensive foundation is where the real magic happens. Yet there’s a glaring, asymmetric elephant in the room - our severe lack of a natural, senior, left-footed centre-back to go alongside Omar Alderete.
So, where do we look? Do we dip back into the European market for another data-driven gem, look for proven domestic pedigree or gamble on high-potential youth?
Let’s dive into the state of the current backline and look at the realistic options on Sunderland’s radar to solve our biggest tactical puzzle.
The Problem
When Ghisolfi brought Paraguay international Omar Alderete to Wearside, it felt like the missing piece of our When Ghisolfi brought Paraguay international Omar Alderete to Wearside, it felt like the missing piece of our defensive jigsaw. A naturally left-footed, aggressive and experienced La Liga operator, he brought an immediate sense of balance to our backline. Across his appearances, we saw the full Alderete package - crunching tackles, an immense aerial presence and a real willingness to progress the ball.
But as we look ahead to a gruelling campaign on both domestic and European fronts, the recruitment team faces a fascinating tactical crossroads regarding our number 15. The reality is that last season took a massive physical toll on the defender. Now creeping into his late twenties, the combined exhaustion of a high-intensity Premier League calendar and a gruelling World Cup campaign caught up with him.
We saw it in the second half of the season. Those frustrating, ongoing muscular injuries and soft-tissue niggles meant he was constantly playing through the pain barrier or stuck in the treatment room just when we needed consistency. Relying on him to start 45+ games across four competitions next year is a massive gamble our medical department simply can’t sanction.
This leaves Sunderland with two distinct pathways in the transfer market:
Option A: Transition Alderete to a rotational role.
Option B: Find an apprentice to learn from the master.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 25: Omar Alderete #3 of Paraguay sits on the field with an injury during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Paraguay and Australia at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Elysia Su/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 25: Omar Alderete #3 of Paraguay sits on the field with an injury during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Paraguay and Australia at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Elysia Su/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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The Candidates: Who Fits The Bill?
To solve this tactical conundrum, Ghisolfi’s recruitment team will likely be scouring the market for very specific profiles. Whether we go for an immediate high-end starter to push Alderete into a rotational role or a high-potential project to act as his apprentice, the names dominating the data sheets offer plenty of reason for excitement.
Tarik Muharemović
The victim of the now infamous “non-foul” at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Tarik Muharemović is one of the hottest defensive talents available right now and is reportedly on the radar of a number of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international is arguably the most exciting name heavily linked with a move to Wearside this summer. After a historic World Cup campaign, where he helped carry his country to the knockout rounds, his price tag has rocketed towards the €40 million mark as Sassuolo look to cash in. A product of the Juventus Next Gen system, Muharemović is a physically dominant powerhouse who excels in a high defensive line. With Juventus reportedly pulling out of the race due to his valuation, Sunderland are said to be leading the English chase. He is a ferocious, ready-made starter who would immediately transform the dynamic of our defence.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 1: Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia & Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, United States. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 1: Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia & Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, United States. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
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Jhon Lucumí
The subject of last summer’s “will he or won’t he?” transfer saga, a familiar face crops up once more.
The 28-year-old Colombian international would be another statement signing. Valued at around his €28 million release clause, Lucumí is a Rolls-Royce of a defender. He is a progressive passing monster who routinely records a pass completion rate of over 90% in Serie A while breaking opposition lines from deep. Coming off an immense World Cup campaign with Colombia, he is a plug-and-play Premier League starter. Signing him automatically transforms Alderete into one of the highest-quality rotational options in the division.
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 23: Jhon Lucumi #3 of Colombia holds of Cedric Bakambu #17 of Congo DR during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Colombia and Congo DR at Guadalajara Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 23: Jhon Lucumi #3 of Colombia holds of Cedric Bakambu #17 of Congo DR during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Colombia and Congo DR at Guadalajara Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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Mariano Troilo
For a profile that bridges the gap between an immediate starter and a long-term investment, Parma’s Mariano Troilo could set Wearside social media alight.
At 23 years old, the Argentinian defender has caught the eye in Italian football following his move from Belgrano. Troilo perfectly bridges the gap between immediate elite quality and long-term resale value. He combines aggressive, front-foot South American defending with absolute composure under pressure. Valued at north of £17 million and already tracked by several top European clubs, he is a serious talent. Troilo is good enough to relegate a resting Alderete to the bench immediately, yet young enough to lead our backline for years to come.
PARMA, ITALY - MAY 10: Mariano Emir Troilo of Parma gestures during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AS Roma at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 10, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
PARMA, ITALY - MAY 10: Mariano Emir Troilo of Parma gestures during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AS Roma at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 10, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
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Konstantinos Koulierakis
If Sunderland want a young left-footer who already boasts immense top-flight pedigree but still has a massive developmental ceiling, the 22-year-old Greek international is an incredible shout. Valued at around £18 million, Koulierakis is a physical powerhouse who has been turning heads with outstanding ball-progression numbers.
He loves a front-foot duel and has the recovery pace needed for Le Bris’ high line. While his short-range distribution under heavy pressure still needs some refinement, his raw defensive tools are elite. He is the perfect apprentice profile - good enough to start 20+ games across our demanding domestic and European schedule while learning the ropes from Alderete before eventually taking the throne permanently.
HAMBURG, GERMANY - MAY 16: Konstantinos Koulierakis of Wolfsburg in action during the Bundesliga match between FC St. Pauli and VfL Wolfsburg at Millerntor Stadium on May 16, 2026 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images)
HAMBURG, GERMANY - MAY 16: Konstantinos Koulierakis of Wolfsburg in action during the Bundesliga match between FC St. Pauli and VfL Wolfsburg at Millerntor Stadium on May 16, 2026 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images)
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Nathan Zézé
If the recruitment team want a high-potential gem with serious pedigree, 21-year-old French defender Nathan Zézé is exactly the type of player who gets the analytics department excited. Having recently made a high-profile move to Saudi side Neom SC after breaking through at Nantes, the towering 1.90m left-footed centre-half excels at reading the game and stepping out from the backline to intercept play.
Because he is still developing the upper-body strength needed to cope with the physicality of English football, he wouldn’t be expected to anchor our defence immediately. Instead, trying to lure him back to Europe to shadow a battle-hardened veteran like Alderete would give him the ultimate tactical education while allowing him to rotate naturally into the side.
AUXERRE, FRANCE - MARCH 30: Nathan Zeze of France celebrates after scoring during the UEFA U21 Euro 2027 Qualifiers match between France and Iceland at Stade Abbe Deschamps on March 30, 2026 in Auxerre, France. (Photo by Federico Pestellini/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
AUXERRE, FRANCE - MARCH 30: Nathan Zeze of France celebrates after scoring during the UEFA U21 Euro 2027 Qualifiers match between France and Iceland at Stade Abbe Deschamps on March 30, 2026 in Auxerre, France. (Photo by Federico Pestellini/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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