With one eye potentially on the Premier League amid their push for promotion, Sunderland are reportedly eyeing a summer swoop to sign a 25-year-old defender in a bargain deal.
Sunderland transfer news
To say that Regis Le Bris has enjoyed a stunning debut season at the Stadium of Light would be an understatement. The Frenchman arrived to take over a side fresh from Championship survival and has since transformed them into promotion contenders.
Despite sitting as high as fourth in England’s second tier and eight points behind the automatic promotion spots, Sunderland still couldn’t avoid heartbreak at the hands of Leeds United last time out, with the Whites sealing a last-gasp victory.
Nonetheless, Le Bris’ side will have the chance to go again thanks to the visit of Hull City this weekend in which they will be desperate to get back to winning ways at the Stadium of Light.
Meanwhile, away from the action, the Black Cats are already reportedly preparing for the summer transfer window. According to Bild in Germany, Sunderland are now eyeing a summer swoop to sign Ahmet Gurleyen from Hansa Rostock in what would be a bargain deal at just €500k (£414k).
The 25-year-old centre-back has spent time at Mainz 05 as well as FC Nurnberg, gaining Bundesliga experience before joining Rostock last summer. Now, for the second time in his career, Gurleyen could complete a move out of Germany if Sunderland come calling.
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In an ideal world, the central defender would be arriving at a Premier League side. However, should that not prove to be the case, the German should still not hesitate to take such an opportunity.
Gurleyen could begin busy Sunderland summer
Of course, Sunderland’s summer is likely to depend on promotion – on both the incomings and outgoings front – but Gurleyen would certainly be an intelligent arrival with or without the Premier League. At just 25 years old, the central defender still has ample opportunity to step up from Germany’s third tier and towards the chaos of the Championship.
Sunderland, meanwhile, could do with an added fresh face within their backline in what could see the versatile Luke O’Nien move into midfield or perhaps cover arrive for Daniel Ballard, who has not been without injury issues this season. So, whilst Gurleyen would not steal the same headlines as the likes of Enzo Le Fee, his arrival could have importance in its own right.
Both on and off the pitch, the Black Cats are in for quite the ride in the coming months. Automatic promotion is still just about in their sights and even if that dream fades, Le Bris’ side look set to earn a shot at eventual Wembley success.
Once the summer arrives and Sunderland’s fate is decided, the transfer window will certainly be interesting to watch.
