Sunderland’s eleventh summer addition will be a defender with extensive Premier League experience.
Sunderland are close to making Arthur Masuaku their eighth summer signing.
Masuaku is a free agent after leaving Turkish top-tier club Besiktas, where he made 44 appearances in all competitions last season. Masuaku has substantial top-tier experience, having played for West Ham United for several years.
The left back has made over 100 Premier League matches and is an accomplished DR Congo international. The deal strengthens Sunderland’s defensive options for the upcoming season, since they are lacking in both experience and depth. Luke O’Nien, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, and Leo Hjelde have all been ruled out for the first month of the season, forcing head coach Régis Le Bris to field players out of position several times. While he will mostly fight for minutes at left back, Masuaku’s arrival allows Le Bris to move Reinildo to centre-back as needed, like he did against Real Betis last weekend.
As first reported by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Masuaku is undergoing a medical at Sunderland ahead of signing a two-year deal. His first competitive appearance in a red-and-white shirt could be against West Ham United next weekend when they visit the Stadium of Light on the opening day of the campaign.
Sunderland defense target nears Bournemouth switch
Sunderland are still expected to sign a central defender this summer, while one target is close to joining Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
The Cherries are in advanced talks to recruit Lille centre defender Bafodé Diakité, who is expected to cost more than £30 million. Andoni Iraola’s side is in desperate need of defensive reinforcements after losing Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez to Real Madrid and Liverpool, respectively. They also aim to sell centre defender Illia Zabarnyi to PSG in the following weeks, resulting in a total gain of more than £150 million.
Diakité had been a target for Sunderland as they attempt to recruit a high-quality central defender ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, but they will now have to pursue alternative options.
The Black Cats have been exploring a deal for Bologna center defender Jhon Lucumí. Reports in Italy this week suggest that a resolution on his future is expected shortly as he holds negotiations with the Serie A club. Sunderland is willing to pay a high cost for Lucumí, despite Bologna’s desire to extend his contract. Bologna and West Brom are in discussions to sign Torbjørn Heggem, a left-sided defender. However, the talks are not yet advanced. Sunderland could also consider signing Sevilla’s Loic Bade.
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