The Black Cats could follow up the Habib Diarra trade with a bid for Poland custodian Marcin Bulka.
Sunderland have begun transfer talks with French club OGC Nice to sign Marcin Bulka.
Bulka, a 25-year-old Polish international, has been recognized by the Black Cats as a strong candidate to challenge Anthony Patterson for the No. 1 jersey.
Bulka’s stature of 6ft 5in certainly fits the bill for a Premier League goalkeeper, and with only one year left on his contract, Sunderland appear prepared to make a wise move.
“Talks surround a deal in the region of £18m, but no agreement is in place between the two clubs at this stage,” according to Sky News. Sunderland’s recruitment strategy appears to have evolved since their Wembley success.
With the top division coming, the necessity to strengthen the squad’s core is greater than ever.
According to Sky Sports, the club is “looking to strengthen the spine of their team,” and bringing in Bulka would accomplish that goal.
This move is based on tactical intelligence. Keeper Anthony Patterson has impressed throughout Sunderland’s promotion campaign, but having experienced top-flight competition between the posts could be critical to their survival chances.
Bulka, who previously worked with soon-to-be confirmed sporting director Florent Ghisolfi at Nice, combines European expertise with the physical presence that Premier League clubs frequently require from their shot-stoppers.
Sunderland may have made a deliberate decision to sign a high-potential talent for a reasonable sum.
At £18 million, it is not a cheap deal, but it underscores both the club’s ambition and the immediate need to avoid the typical mistake of underinvesting after promotion.
Bulka’s previous association with Ghisolfi, who has not to be publicly revealed by Sunderland, adds another element to this unfolding scenario.
Ghisolfi is expected to bring a data-driven, continental approach to recruitment, and this probable signing could foreshadow future developments.
The fact that Ghisolfi and Bulka have previously collaborated shows trust and mutual understanding, which might help them adjust quickly to a new situation.
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