Sunderland are reportedly among a host of Premier League clubs interested in completing the signing of a title-winning player this summer.
Sunderland push for defender but Bellingham is off
The Black Cats have been boosted in their efforts to sign Reims centre-back Cedric Kipre, with the former West Brom defender “increasingly likely” to leave his current club ahead of next season.
Kipre is considered a “serious option” for Sunderland, who will know the importance of strengthening their squad significantly in the summer transfer window, looking to avoid an immediate return to the Championship in the process.
On the flip side, Regis Le Bris is going to have to make do without Jobe Bellingham moving forward, with the 19-year-old choosing to seal a move to Borussia Dortmund, as has been widely reported for some time. Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie provided the latest earlier this week.
“Borussia Dortmund have won the race to sign Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland. The teenager will turn down advances from Eintracht Frankfurt & RB Leipzig to sign for BVB. Sunderland in advanced negotiations and set to sell for around £25m including add-ons. There is a gentleman’s agreement to allow the midfielder to leave this summer despite a £33.75m release clause in place.”
Sunderland want to sign Liverpool hero
Now, according to a fresh claim from Empire of the Kop, Sunderland are one of eight Premier League clubs who are eyeing a move for Joe Gomez this summer.
The 28-year-old’s Reds future is up in the air currently, with the report stating that the new champions are “open” to the idea of allowing him to leave. The Black Cats are “informed as to his situation”, as are fellow promoted sides Leeds United and Burnley, and Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham and Bournemouth.
Gomez could be perfect for Sunderland this summer, as they look to add experience to a relatively young squad, with the Englishman now a proven player at the very top level.
The 15-cap international has won two Premier League titles and the Champions League with Liverpool, among various other trophies, while Virgil van Dijk has described him as an “outstanding” player.
That is huge praise from one of the best defenders of his generation, and at 28, Gomez still has plenty to offer, even though he has endured some serious injury problems down the years.
He can shine at both centre-back and right-back, giving Le Bris more depth immediately – he has even slotted in at left-back at times in his career – and if Sunderland could bring both him and Jordan Henderson to the Stadium of Light, they would immediately have far more authority in their ranks.
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Sunderland now looking “increasingly likely” to sign ex-PSG defender
Regis Le Bris wants to snap him up.
It remains to be seen if Gomez actually wants to leave Liverpool – he still has two years left on his current deal – but the Black Cats should be viewing him as a fantastic option.
