Fiorentina set to open talks with Sunderland and Villa transfer target despite Premier League 'preference'
The latest transfer talk from Sunderland as reports in Italy deliver an update on a reported Black Cats target.
Sunderland and Aston Villa face major competition in their pursuit of Matias Soule after reports in Italy suggested Fiorentina had opened talks over a possible deal for the Roma winger.
As it stands, the Black Cats have only completed one new signing during the summer transfer window after Belgium international Thomas Meunier penned a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light following his departure from Ligue 1 club Lille. However, there is a desire to further strengthen Regis Le Bris’ squad as the Frenchman prepares for one of the most exciting seasons in the club’s history after he guided them to a seventh placed finish in last season’s Premier League and secured a place in the Europa League.
Competing alongside the likes of Juventus, Marseille and AC Milan in the league phase of UEFA’s secondary club competition means increased pressure on the Black Cats ranks as they face at least eight additional fixtures during the campaign - although Le Bris has called for patience as news is awaited over a second new addition of the summer.
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Speaking about further signings in the aftermath of Saturday’s win against York City, the Black Cats boss said: "I'm never relaxed, I don't know this word! But yes, it's a bit different this summer. Last season, we had to sign 14 new players and this time we'll probably go for six or seven. It's half of the job we've done last season, so it's going to be different. More precise, which is good because we have a strong foundation. We never know because the market is slow this season. It's better to wait and to take the right decision rather than rushing anything."
Sunderland have been linked with a number of potential players in recent weeks with Leicester City defender Ben Nelson and Bodø/Glimt attacker Jens Petter Hauge both named as potential transfer targets. Strengthening in wide positions is believed to be high on the list of priorities for the Black Cats during the next seven weeks and an ambitious move for Roma star Soule has been suggested over the last week. The Argentina Under-23 international has scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists in 81 appearances in all competitions since joining Roma from Juventus during the summer of 2024 - and his form is said to have captured attention from clubs in Italy, England and the Saudi Arabian Pro League.
Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb have now claimed Fiorentina are looking to open talks with their Serie A rivals once they have found an agreement with the player and his representatives. There is also a claim suggesting Soule’s reported earnings of around €2.5m per season are ‘a high figure for Fiorentina but not impossible to achieve’. Further talks are said to be planned for the coming days and the report rounds off by stating Soule would ‘prefer an experience abroad’, with the Premier League suggested as his target despite Roma receiving no official approaches from an English club.
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