Sunderland now ready to smash transfer record by signing £51m star

Sunderland are now prepared to make a club-record bid for Sporting CP star Geny Catamo, having identified him as their priority transfer target.

It has been a quiet summer for the Black Cats thus far, with Thomas Meunier their only arrival to date, and the deal for Dayann Methalie could fall through at the final hurdle, with the defender returning to France for extra tests after a medical.

Having predominantly focused on improving the defence up to this point, Regis Le Bris’ side are stepping up their pursuit of a new forward, and Catamo has proven he could be ready for a move to the Premier League, having impressed in Portugal.

Last season, the right-winger picked up six goals and four assists in 29 appearances for Sporting CP, and he has since gone on to make a flying start to the new campaign, setting up two goals in his opening two matches.

Former Amora coach Pedro Russiano has described the Mozambique international as an “unpredictable” player, and he loved driving at defences, as evidenced by the fact he completed 2.0 successful dribbles per 90 in the Liga Portugal last term.

Although Le Bris’ side defied expectations by qualifying for the Europa League last season, the manager regularly rotated at right-wing, with Chemsdine Talbi, Bertrand Traore, Trai Hume, Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda, Jocelin Ta Bi and Nilson Angulo all starting in that area.

The Black Cats also lacked a playmaker, which may explain the interest in the Sporting winger, with only four members of their squad recording more than one assist in the Premier League.

Sunderland preparing mega bid for Geny Catamo

REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Sunderland are ready to smash their transfer record by signing Catamo, who has a £51m release clause in his Sporting CP contract.

The Black Cats are prepared to match the release clause, which means the 25-year-old is in line to surpass Diarra as their record signing, with the midfielder arriving from RSC Strasbourg in a £27m deal last summer.

Le Bris is a big fan of the winger, with the manager particularly fond of his ‘intensity and progressive carrying’, and progress has been made towards agreeing personal terms, as he is very keen on a move to the Stadium of Light.

AS Roma’s Matias Soule remains under consideration as an alternative option though, and the Argentinian could be more affordable, having been valued at £35m by the Italian side.

Soule is also younger than Catamo at just 23-years-old, and he has already proven himself in one of Europe’s top leagues, picking up six goals and five assists in 33 Serie A appearances last season.