Sunderland have been linked with a move for a Serie A midfielder with the summer transfer window set to open for business.

A reported Sunderland transfer target has been told he is a more ‘complete’ player than former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne as he enters the final year of his contract with his current club.

Reports in Italy last month suggested the Black Cats were considering a move to bring former Fulham midfielder Frank Zambo Anguissa back to the Premier League almost five years after he joined Napoli on an initial loan deal before that move was made permanent during the summer of 2022. During his time at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the 67-times capped Cameroon international has become a two-time Serie A champion and has made 24 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League.

Anguissa is set to enter the final 12 months of his current deal with Napoli after the Serie A giants triggered an extension option - but reports have suggested any negotiations over a new contract have been halted. AreaNapoli have stated Sunderland would have to offer around €20m and reveals AC Milan, who have also qualified for next season’s Europa League are also monitoring the situation.

One former Napoli star has thrown his support behind Anguissa by suggesting he believes the former Fulham man is a more ‘complete’ player than former Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who is also part of the Serie A club’s squad.

Speaking to Tutto Napoli, Gaetano Fontana was asked to choose between the two midfielders, and he answered: “Anguissa, all my life. Because he’s a complete, versatile player, capable of playing in both phases of the game. Tactically, he integrates perfectly with the other midfielders and interprets modern football in the best possible way. Looking at Napoli’s recent history, I believe he’s one of the players who best adapts to any coach’s ideas.

“De Bruyne is an extraordinary champion, but a player of his experience must bring added value to the team. I’ve played under coaches whose ideas differed from mine, but that doesn’t mean I’m not fulfilling my duties. On the contrary, a champion must find a way to improve what’s around him. For this reason, if I had to choose, I’d choose Anguissa without a doubt.”

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