Sunderland have been linked with two overseas targets as fresh updates emerge on Lutsharel Geertruida and Dan Neil
Sunderland continue to be linked with players across Europe and South America as Florent Ghisolfi prepares for a major summer transfer window.
The Black Cats are expected to strengthen Régis Le Bris’ squad ahead of a demanding campaign involving Premier League and Europa League football, while several current and former players also feature in the latest round of transfer speculation.
Kerim Alajbegovic
Sunderland are among the clubs credited with interest in Bayer Leverkusen winger Kerim Alajbegovic. Reports in Italy claim Roma have held renewed contacts over the Bosnia youth international following approval from Gian Piero Gasperini. The 18-year-old impressed last season with Salzburg and his national team, prompting Leverkusen to activate the buy-back option they
Roma are not said to be alone in their interest, with Ghisolfi also reportedly keen on bringing the left winger to Sunderland. Alajbegovic’s price tag is said to be around €30million – approximately £25.9million – though the same report claims the player is attracted by the prospect of working under Gasperini.
Viery
Sunderland have also been named among the clubs to have made enquiries for Grêmio defender Viery. Reports in Brazil claim Roma, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Brighton and Sunderland have all made enquiries and sent representatives to Porto Alegre to watch the 21-year-old. Fiorentina and Juventus are both said to have already seen approaches rejected.
Grêmio reportedly want a package worth more than €15million – around £13million – and would also like to retain either a future sell-on percentage or added value from any deal. Viery has played 27 matches and scored twice this season. His ability to play both centre-back and left-back is understood to be one of the reasons he has attracted such significant interest from abroad.
Lutsharel Geertruida
Lutsharel Geertruida has reportedly seen another possible transfer option fall away this summer. FR-Fans, citing De Telegraaf, report that Geertruida would have considered returning to former club Feyenoord if Robin van Persie had remained as manager. However, Van Persie’s departure is said to have changed the picture.
Geertruida spent last season on loan at Sunderland, but his temporary move from RB Leipzig has now come to an end. The defender’s future remains one to watch, though the Feyenoord route appears less likely following the managerial change.
Zak Johnson
Oxford United, Wigan Athletic and York City are reportedly battling to sign Sunderland defender Zak Johnson.
Johnson impressed during his loan spell at York last season and helped the club win promotion from the National League. The England youth international is highly rated at the Academy of Light, but Sunderland’s rapid rise and the level of competition in the first-team squad means his next step could come elsewhere.
Dan Neil
Hull City are weighing up a move for former Sunderland captain Dan Neil, according to TEAMtalk.
The report claims Rangers have been in active discussions with the midfielder and are hopeful of convincing him to move to Scotland, while Hull could now enter the race and potentially frustrate both Middlesbrough and Rangers.
Neil’s expected exit remains one of the major storylines of Sunderland’s summer. The academy graduate captained the Black Cats back to the Premier League and remains a hugely popular figure, but his future appears likely to lie away from the Stadium of Light.
