Sunderland made a flying start to their Premier League return, thrashing West Ham 3-0 at the Stadium of Light and sending a strong signal that they are back to full strength. And the club’s summer reinforcements may not be over yet. After signing Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain, Sunderland are reportedly closing in on another key defensive addition in Jhon Lucumí from Bologna.
Sunderland make flying start to the season
The club have worked hard to return to England’s top tier. Since their relegation in 2017, Sunderland endured some challenging seasons, at times even dropping as low as League One. Fans fondly remember players like Assamoah Gyan, Jordan Henderson, and Jermain Defoe. Under the ownership of the Dreyfus family, long-time leaders at Olympique Marseille, Sunderland have undergone a remarkable transformation. Investing in youth paid off last season, with promotion to the Premier League secured through the play-offs.
Manager Le Bris has welcomed a series of summer signings. Granit Xhaka arrived from Leverkusen, Habib Diarra from Strasbourg became the club’s record signing, while Adingra and Talbi bolstered the wings. Sadiki joined from the Belgian champions, goalkeeper Roefs came from the Netherlands, Guiu arrived on loan from Chelsea, and the experienced duo Reinildo Mandava and Albert Masuaku strengthened the left side of defence, both on free transfers. Sunderland’s first game showcased their quality as they defeated West Ham 3-0, although the team’s final squad is still being shaped.
Sunderland strengthen defence
Following the opening weekend, Sunderland officially confirmed the signing of Nordi Mukiele. The 27-year-old French defender, who can operate at right-back or in central defence, spent last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen from PSG. While he did not fully establish himself as a regular there, he showed quality and now fits perfectly into Sunderland’s French-influenced approach. The £10.5m signing is expected to be the first of more defensive reinforcements.
The club are now reportedly pursuing Jhon Lucumi from Bologna. The Colombian defender has previously attracted interest from Barcelona, and with the departure of Beukema to Napoli, Bologna are understandably reluctant to lose another key defensive figure with just two weeks left in the transfer window. Lucumí is reportedly keen to move to the Premier League, presenting Sunderland with a chance to secure a valuable addition, likely for a fee in excess of €20m (£17.5m).
With these signings, Sunderland are looking to solidify their backline and make a strong impression in the top flight once again.
This article was originally published on Trivela.
