Sunderland open fresh talks to sign £53k-p/w forward after receiving green light
Sunderland have now reportedly opened talks to sign a La Liga forward, who has green-lit a move to the Premier League in the January transfer window.
Sunderland open talks to sign La Liga forward
Sunderland are in absolute dreamland. Fresh from their promotion and subsequent spending spree in the summer, the Black Cats are set to sit as high as sixth on Christmas Day. Not even the most optimistic fans could have predicted that at the start of the season, but those at the Stadium of Light aren’t done there.
Manager Regis Le Bris told reporters after drawing 0-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday: “We won 26 points before AFCON, which is important and a big achievement, and now it’s really clear that we will be a bit less composed because we have less players.
“And the players who didn’t play so far will need time to step up. We trust their quality, their mindset but you’re can’t switch on and be at the level (straight away), so they will need time.”
What’s more, with AFCON underway and as many as six Sunderland players taking part in the tournament, the Black Cats could turn towards the January transfer window.
To that end, rumours are already arriving. According to recent reports, those in Wearside have already set their sights on signing the likes of Jhon Lucumi, who has been a target since the summer and could finally be on his way to the club.
Alas, he’s not the only one on their radar. According to TeamTalk, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Sunderland are now in talks to sign Ruben Vargas, who has green-lit a move from Sevilla to the Premier League in the January transfer window.
Intermediaries have reportedly contacted Sunderland, Leeds United and Bournemouth over a move for the winger, sparking a Premier League race for his signature ahead of next month.
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It makes perfect sense that Sunderland have reportedly opened talks to sign Vargas. As long as AFCON continues and they’re without Chemsdine Talbi, they’ll be without a crucial attacking spark that Vargas could reignite that month.
Valued at around €10m (£9m) by Sevilla, the Swiss winger is certainly in Sunderland’s spending range, so is may well come down to whether they can fend off any competition from Premier League rivals.
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Manage that and then they can turn their attention towards Vargas’ salary demands. As things stand, he earns around £53,000-a-week at Sevilla, which would put him in Sunderland’s top 10 earners. Whether they regard his quality high enough to grant those demands is the big question.
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In terms of goals, it’s difficult to see how the 27-year-old would significantly add to Le Bris’ side, with just three strikes to his name all season to go alongside his four assists.
In the short-term, Vargas would provide added depth whilst AFCON continues to stretch Sunderland’s squad. In the long-term, however, the Black Cats may struggle to find a place for the Sevilla star.