Sunderland linked with £63m transfer trio as Fabrizio Romano reveals Leeds United push – round-uo
The latest on Sunderland-linked trio Tarik Muharemović, Roony Bardghji and Jacques Ekomié as the Black Cats continue their summer recruitment work
Sunderland face a potentially decisive week in their pursuit of Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemović, with Premier League rivals Leeds United now pushing hard to secure his signature.
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano says Leeds have presented a verbal contract proposal to the 23-year-old and are confident of completing a deal. Talks with Sassuolo are expected to progress this week, although Bournemouth and Sunderland remain involved in the race.
Sky Sport Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio has gone further, claiming Muharemović must now choose between those three Premier League clubs. That suggests Sunderland’s interest remains very much alive despite Leeds appearing to have made the most aggressive move at this stage.
Sassuolo have reportedly placed a €40million asking price on Muharemović, which is worth around £34million. Juventus are understood to be entitled to 50 per cent of any sale after allowing the Bosnia and Herzegovina international to join Sassuolo.
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There is currently no suggestion that Sunderland have reached an agreement with either the player or Sassuolo, but the next few days could provide greater clarity over whether the Black Cats are prepared to compete financially with Leeds and Bournemouth.
Sunderland among clubs tracking Roony Bardghji
Sunderland have also been named among a large group of clubs showing interest in Barcelona winger Roony Bardghji. Reports in Spain claim Sunderland, Leeds United, Brighton, Fulham and Aston Villa have made enquiries from the Premier League. Juventus, Ajax, Marseille and Porto are also among the interested parties, with more than ten possible options said to be on the table.
Barcelona are reportedly open to allowing Bardghji to leave either on loan or permanently, although their preference could be a sale containing a buy-back clause. The 20-year-old is a left-footed right winger known for his ability to drift inside and threaten goal.
Bardghji’s estimated value has been placed between €15million and €25million – approximately £12.8million to £21.3million. That is a valuation rather than a confirmed asking price, and the sheer volume of reported interest means Sunderland would face significant competition should they decide to advance their enquiry.
New Jacques Ekomié link emerges
Elsewhere, Italian reporter Nicolò Schira has claimed Sunderland are interested in Angers left-back Jacques Ekomié. Beşiktaş and Hamburg have also been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, who has represented Gabon at senior international level.
Ekomié made 18 Ligue 1 appearances and played twice in the French Cup for Angers last season. He has accumulated 112 senior club appearances across spells with Bordeaux’s reserve side, Bordeaux and Angers, scoring once. The defender’s estimated market value is around €9million – roughly £7.7million – although that does not necessarily reflect the fee Angers would demand. At this stage, Schira’s report points only to interest rather than a formal Sunderland offer.
Muharemović currently appears to be the most advanced and competitive of the three situations, while the links with Bardghji and Ekomié remain at an earlier stage. Sunderland’s name continues to appear across Europe, but interest, enquiries and concrete negotiations remain three very different stages of any transfer.