Finally replace Jobe: Sunderland make contact over “incredible” £26m star
The eventful summer window for Sunderland began when Jobe Bellingham was forced to depart the Black Cats for
German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund.
At that time, the throng in Wearside must have been afraid of what the rest of the window would look like. Players
like Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki have increased their primary staffing options, so they haven’t turned back either.
Sunderland’s frenzied transfer window started on a melancholy note when Jobe Bellingham pushed through a move
to leave the Black Cats behind for German behemoth Borussia Dortmund.
The crowds of Wearside must have been terrified at that moment about what the remainder of the window will look
like. They haven’t looked back, either, as players like Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki have expanded their central
staffing choices.
However, Sunderland is unlikely to pass up such a tempting prospect if there are more opportunities to sign
attractive midfield players before the Premier League season starts.
Sunderland knock on door for £26m star
Granit Xhaka is scheduled to get a physical at the Stadium of Light, proving that Regis Le Bris and company are still
looking to improve their midfield alternatives.
If Sunderland is to immediately survive in such a demanding division, the Swiss international, who is expected to
arrive for £17 million, will provide plenty of grit and fight having previously excelled for Arsenal in the tough Premier
League.
He is not the only midfield addition that the Stadium of Light supporters may soon be interested in, though, as a
recent report from Turkish publication Saba Spor, via X, suggests that the Black Cats have approached Galatasaray
about former Norwich City star Gabriel Sara.
Indeed, the report suggests that the newly-promoted side have ‘knocked on the door’ of the Super Lig side regarding
a potential deal, with Sara currently valued at more than €30m (£26m).
Winning Sara’s services could see Sunderland pick up their next version of young Bellingham, with Xhaka far more
attuned to the defensive side of his game.
Whereas, the Brazilian is capable of being both an attacking force but also a combative and energetic option if
needed, much like the brand-new Dortmund number 77.
Why Sara can be an “incredible” Bellingham replacement
Of course, there is also the aforementioned Diarra and Sadiki to chuck into the equation.
However, that duo will need time to get up to speed with their new environments, with Sara already well accustomed
to the demands of the English game when starring week in week out for Norwich City in the Championship, before
Turkey came calling.
Sara would total an incredible 21 goals and 17 assists from 96 games for the Canaries, well exceeding Bellingham’s
own result for Sunderland, who trails with 11 goals and four assists from six fewer games.
However, Sunderland only paid £1.5 million for the 19-year-old before he developed into a valuable commodity
worth a whopping £27 million. Le Bris and company had to spend £26 million on Sara since they knew he was a
worthy substitute for the now-Bundeslund midfielder and that the project wouldn’t take long to complete.
| Sara’s career numbers by position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position played | Games played | Goals scored | Assists |
| CM | 105 | 14 | 16 |
| AM | 34 | 6 | 6 |
| RM | 33 | 7 | 2 |
| LM | 24 | 3 | 4 |
| DM | 24 | 5 | 6 |
| RW | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| LW | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RB | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| LB | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt | |||
With a scorching two goals and ten assists from 45 games, Sara has now experienced the demands of a competitive,
top division in Turkey and should feel at ease with what is expected of him in the Premier League. Galatasaray’s head
coach, Okan Buruk, praised the South American for adjusting “very quickly.”
the 26-year-old content at being a number ten, a defensive anchor, or even a winger, much like Bellingham, who
similarly rotated his duties under Le Bris’ methods.
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