Sunderland Prepare Record-Breaking Bid as £80m Transfer Plan Takes Shape

Sunderland are stepping up their pursuit of Geny Catamo and could make a club-record move for the Sporting CP winger, with a huge spending plan also including Barcelona midfielder Marc Casadó.

The Black Cats are considering activating Catamo’s £51m release clause, which would comfortably surpass the current club-record fee of around £27m paid for Habib Diarra last summer.

Sunderland have already offered €33m (£28m) plus €7m (£6m) in add-ons, but Sporting are demanding a higher guaranteed fee. With the transfer window closing on September 1, the Black Cats are now weighing up whether to go all the way.

Catamo Wants the Move

The 25-year-old Mozambique international is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and is attracted by Sunderland’s ambitious project.

Sunderland are also prepared to offer Catamo a salary significantly higher than his current Sporting earnings, further strengthening their position in negotiations.

However, Sporting remain determined to keep their winger. Head coach Rui Borges has insisted that Catamo is happy at the Portuguese club and remains an important part of his plans.

Casadó Also on Sunderland’s Radar

Catamo is not the only major target.

Sunderland are also pursuing Barcelona midfielder Marc Casadó, with the Spanish midfielder reportedly valued between £25.8m and £34.4m.

If both deals were completed at the higher end of those valuations, Sunderland’s spending on the two players alone could approach £85m.

The club are believed to have around £80m available to bring in three or four more players before the deadline.

A Statement of Intent

Sunderland have already added Thomas Meunier on a free transfer, Dayann Methalie for £25.7m and Jules Ahoka for £8.6m this summer.

But landing Catamo would take their transfer business to another level.

The Sporting winger would become the most expensive signing in Sunderland’s history and potentially one of the club’s biggest statements since returning to the Premier League.

With the deadline approaching, negotiations are entering a crucial stage.

Sunderland now have a decision to make: meet Sporting’s demands for Catamo and push ahead with their ambitious spending plan, or risk losing their top target.

The clock is ticking, and the Black Cats appear ready to make their biggest move yet.