With shock European football confirmed, Sunderland have instantly joined the race to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham United for a bargain price.
Sunderland join race for £10m defender
The Black Cats have got their recruitment spot on over the last 12 months and they couldn’t have hoped for a better result. Before this season, the last six promoted sides suffered instant relegation back down to the Championship. Sunderland didn’t just end that trend, they did so in the style that suggests they’re here to stay in the Premier League’s top half.
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The Black Cats are making plans for the summer transfer window.
Their ambitions have been clear in the last two years and rumours suggest that they’re already aiming to take advantage of European qualification to pull off a shock bargain.
According to TeamTalk, Sunderland are now targeting a move to sign Wan-Bissaka from West Ham this summer. The Hammers need to make £150m in sales following their relegation to the Championship and will have no choice but to sanction deals when in such a sorry state.
Several Premier League clubs have come calling for Wan-Bissaka as a result and West Ham have slapped a bargain £10m on their impressive right-back.
Of course, the former Manchester United man makes perfect sense for Sunderland as they prepare to bid farewell to Lutsharel Geertruida, who is heading back to parent club RB Leipzig following his loan spell.
Rather than pursue a permanent deal, it looks as though the Black Cats are turning their attention towards a cheaper alternative at the cost of West Ham instead.
Le Bris insists “Anything possible” after European qualification
Sunderland fans were in dreamland when Tommy Watson stunned Sheffield United late on at Wembley this time last year. They would have snapped at the chance of survival in the Premier League. 12 months later, though, they’ve gone from top-flight hopefuls to European qualifiers who are very much here to stay.
It’s a reality that even the most optimistic fans in Wearside thought was near-impossible. Now that dream has become a reality, however, anything is possible as far as Regis Le Bris is concerned.
He told reporters: “It’s an important step. It shows that anything is possible in football, especially when you are working hard, representing the community, you are humble.
“We struggled at times this season, had a really painful defeat here at home and they bounced back, worked hard and finally we have the results. It’s very positive.”
“We are growing quickly, but in football it’s hard to anticipate something. We generated momentum, the players were so well-connected, demanding with each other as well which is really important.
“We have great leaders in the group, young lads with the willingness to learn. Just enjoy the moment because football can go one way or the other way. At the minute, everything is really well-aligned. Keep going.”
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