Whilst a lot of the focus has been on the players who could leave Sunderland this summer, the Black Cats could have an incoming of their own in their sights.
With European football to offer these days, those on Wearside find themselves going head-to-head with Italian giants Juventus in an attempt to welcome impressive defender Tarik Muharemovic.
|
Football FanCast’s Verdict |
|
|---|---|
|
Credibility |
Sunderland have the credibility to compete with Juventus these days, which seems impossible given where they were at just five years ago. Muharemovic is an impressive player to target too, and it seems like the Black Cats are among the favourites to secure his arrival. |
|
Finances |
When it comes to cost, the defender’s price-tag is set to sit at more than €15m (£13m) – a price that Juventus do not want to exceed this summer. Sunderland weren’t afraid to spend even more than that last summer and with European qualification boosting their finances, they should be in an even better position this time around. |
|
Insight |
If anyone wanted to get an idea of Muharemovic’s quality, then they should have watched Bosnia & Herzegovina’s World Cup campaign. He stood out as one of their best players as they reached the last 32. |
|
Impact |
It will be interesting to see whether Muharemovic’s arrival would change the future of certain Sunderland stars, with Daniel Ballard previously linked with a move away. |
The Sassuolo man would be a statement signing and show exactly where Sunderland are at if they beat Juventus to the 23-year-old defender.
Sunderland readying “formal” move for Muharemovic
According to Italian journalist Luca Cilli, as relayed by Sport Witness, Sunderland are readying a “formal” offer to sign Muharemovic in a rapid-fire move.
The Black Cats are joined by Juventus and Bournemouth in the race for the defender, but it’s the Premier League duo who are quickly emerging as the favourites to land his signature this summer, with the player keen to move to England.
Going head-to-head with Bournemouth now, Sunderland will be desperate to get one over on Premier League competition.
Muharemovic would end Luke O’Nien’s Sunderland career
When all is said and done, Luke O’Nien will go down as an undisputed hero at the Stadium of Light. He’s been there for the worst moments and deserved the Premier League more than anyone last season. But, Muharemovic’s arrival would bring an end to his Wearside career.
The 23-year-old would be an instant upgrade and could change the pecking order under Regis Le Bris, taking a starting place and pushing the likes of Omar Alderete to the bench.
Whether Sunderland will match Sassuolo’s price tag and officially jump ahead of Bournemouth and Juventus remains to be seen. The Black Cats rarely waste any time in the market these days and often get what they’re after, even up against elite clubs. This time could be no different.
