Sunderland have been urged to increase their offer for Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo, with reports suggesting the Black Cats may need to bid close to his £52m release clause to secure a deal.
According to A Bola, Sunderland have made an initial approach of around £34m for the 25-year-old Mozambique international, who has a release clause of £52m in his contract that runs until 2028. The club are being encouraged to raise their bid closer to that figure to tempt Sporting into a sale.
Transfer activity so far
Sunderland have had a slow summer window compared to last year's overhaul, with Thomas Meunier the only new arrival so far. Dayann Methalie is expected to be announced following a £25.6m agreement with Toulouse.
The club have seen numerous departures, including Milan Aleksic (loan to Partizan), and permanent exits for Leo Hjelde, Harrison Jones, Nazariy Rusyn, Timothee Pembele, Arthur Masuaku, Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin, Ahmed Abdullahi, Anthony Patterson and Eliezer Mayenda.
Next two transfers decided
As per the I, Sunderland have an £80m war chest to secure three or four more signings, before the Methalie fee is deducted. A winger who can play on either side is expected to arrive, along with another out-and-out striker to complement Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor, following Mayenda's £21.5m move to Rennes.
Chronicle Live reporter Aaron Morris said: "It's clear that there are a number of positions lacking in depth, despite Sunderland being less than a week away from their Premier League opener with Ipswich Town."
Morris also noted the need for a central midfielder to rotate with Granit Xhaka, who at 33 flagged toward the end of last season. He added: "I'm less concerned about the wing, given Nilson Angulo has looked incredibly tidy in pre-season, and I still believe that there's a player in Talbi if he can go on a streak."
Potential wing targets include Catamo, Ernest Poku and Mathias Soule, though no firm names have been attached yet. Sunderland also have Jocelin Ta Bi and Romaine Mundle as options on the flanks.
