Sunderland focusing on transfer for “high quality” £6m Mepham improve

Fabrizio Romano just lately reported that Sunderland are in talks with OGC Good over a deal to signal Polish goalkeeper Marcin Bulka this summer season.

The Black Cats are focused on a swoop for the previous Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper to bolster Regis Le Bris‘ squad, as he would are available as competitors for Anthony Patterson.

If they will signal the Ligue 1 star, the Premier League facet may also have to bolster the defence in entrance of him, however Chris Mepham is unlikely to be part of that.

Journalist Graeme Bailey reported earlier this month {that a} transfer again to the Championship is extra doubtless than a everlasting return to the Stadium of Gentle.

Sunderland eyeing up new centre-back

While a deal for the Bournemouth central defender appears unlikely, given Bailey’s report, the Black Cats reportedly have their eye on one other centre-back possibility.

In response to the Sunderland Echo, Sunderland are eyeing up Lyon defender Duje Caleta-Automotive as a possible signing to bolster their squad earlier than the top of the summer season switch window.

The report claims that the Croatia worldwide – who’s valued at £6m, based on Soccer Transfers, has been transfer-listed by the French membership, regardless of beginning 17 of his 19 appearances within the league this season.

It provides that Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 following a monetary audit, which might present Black Cats with additional encouragement of their pursuit of Caleta-Automotive, however that they’re set to enchantment that call.

Why Sunderland ought to signal Duje Caleta-Automotive

The newly-promoted facet ought to pursue a deal to signal the Croatian large this summer season as a result of he might are available as an improve on Mepham, who spent the 2024/25 marketing campaign on mortgage on the Stadium of Gentle.

Sunderland will want robust defenders to guard their objective, which could possibly be guarded by Bulka, as they battle in opposition to relegation subsequent season, and the Lyon titan’s performances in Ligue 1 recommend that he would provide extra to the workforce than the Wales worldwide would.

Caleta-Automotive, whose former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl claimed he has a “massive presence” on the pitch, additionally caught the attention for his nation just lately, profitable seven of his 9 duels and making eight clearances mixed in a 7-0 win over Gibraltar and a 5-1 win over Czechia.

As you’ll be able to see within the desk above, the Croatian star’s defensive performances in Ligue 1 this season have been merely higher than what Mepham produced in his final season within the Premier League.

These statistics recommend that Caleta-Automotive can be much more dominant defensively, significantly in aerial battles, while additionally making extra interventions, with tackles, interceptions, clearances, and blocks, every recreation to cease attackers from troubling the objective.

The Lyon defender would additionally arrive with Premier League expertise below his belt. He began 9 matches for Southampton within the 2022/23 marketing campaign, profitable 57% of his duels and making 2.3 tackles and interceptions per recreation.

Caleta-Automotive – who switch insider Dean Jones lauded for having “main high quality” – was not out there sufficient to make a telling contribution to their season, although, and so they have been relegated from the top-flight that time period.

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Romano: Sunderland in talks to signal “very good” participant liked by Luis Enrique

The Black Cats are within the hunt for a brand new stopper.

Nevertheless, his kind for Lyon since returning to France means that he does have the standard to be a formidable performer in a serious European league, significantly compared to Mepham.

Due to this fact, Sunderland ought to pursue a deal to signal the Croatia worldwide after a transfer for Bulka this summer season to enhance their defensive choices, while eradicating any have to convey Mepham again on a everlasting switch.