Sunderland readying approach to sign star as club face inevitable £26m sale

Sunderland have been handed a key boost in the race to sign a defensive star for Regis Le Bris this summer.

The Black Cats are still waiting to commence their transfer business, but may not have to wait much longer. With European football to offer these days, those in Wearside have set their sights on some ambitious names.

That includes Celtic’s Arne Engels. The midfielder looks to be on his way out of Scottish football this summer and Premier League sides are gradually beginning to circle.

In terms of quality, Engels would be an excellent addition with the Europa League in mind, especially next to someone of Granit Xhaka’s calibre next season.

He could also be joined by Khephren Thuram in another statement signing. Like the Celtic man, Thuram could be on the move in the coming months and is open to a Premier League switch.

Despite competition from rivals Newcastle United, Sunderland’s European face could yet lure the Frenchman to the Stadium of Light in their most impressive addition yet.

The Serie A seems to be where it’s at for the Black Cats this summer, too. Alongside Thuram, they’ve also set their sights on a defensive reinforcement from Italy.

Sunderland ready approach to sign £26m star

Wearside chiefs are once again in the mood for spending if recent reports are anything to go by.

According to ParmaLive, as relayed by Sport Witness, Sunderland are now readying an approach to sign Mariano Troilo from Parma and are in pole position to land the defender this summer.

The Italian club do not want to lose their defender, but have accepted the reality that they’ll inevitably have to accept any offers worth €30m (£26m) in the coming months.

That hands Sunderland a huge boost and plenty to consider, given that Troilo would be their second-most expensive signing in history following Habib Diarra’s £27m move last summer.

They weren’t afraid to break plenty of records last summer, however, and have since matched that ambition on the pitch. With Parma naming their price, Sunderland should match it and sign 22-year-old Troilo, who’s yet to even reach the peak of his powers.

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