Real Madrid have made an offer of around £18m for Sunderland as the Black Cats have submitted a transfer request
Real Madrid could be offered £18 million in cash for Sunderland as Regis Le Bris’s side are tipped to make a switch before the summer.
Sunderland’s summer transfer plans for the Premier League stay have been confirmed
Sunderland’s first Premier League season back has exceeded all expectations.
A 2-1 win at St James’ Park last weekend – capped by Brian Brobbey’s 90th-minute winner, the latest goal to win a Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League era – summed up everything that made the Black Cats a great story.
Le Bris’ men are sitting comfortably near the top half of the table, and the talk about the team is not about survival but about building.
That desire is evident in the names associated with summer arrivals.
Sunderland have been urged to sign Lutsharel Geertruida, among a number of suitors, for a move believed to be worth £20m.
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The Black Cats face a threat this summer.
Fulham winger Harry Wilson, whose contract situation at Craven Cottage remains unresolved, is another target Sunderland have been working towards with real intent.
Gabriel Sara, who impressed during his time in England before moving to Galatasaray, is also reportedly a target.
The summer profile is clear – young, technically gifted players with a point to prove, acquired at a time when Le Bris can develop them into something better.
Sunderland have set the price for the signing of former Real Madrid player Victor Munoz
And nowhere does that model manifest more interestingly than in Víctor Muñoz’s new pursuit.
According to El Pais today, the 22-year-old Spaniard is expected to be available in the summer – and Sunderland remain firmly in the picture, although the price has moved significantly since January.
The Black Cats officially reached £22m in the winter, and Osasuna were reportedly willing to do business at that level.
What killed the deal was the player himself.
Muñoz, who joined Real Madrid’s academy and suffered a public nightmare when his miss in El Clasico contributed to Los Blancos’ loss of the La Liga title last season, had renewed his confidence at Osasuna, and decided the time was not right.
Since then, his stock has soared.
A call-up to the Spanish national team followed a goal in his debut against Serbia in a friendly last week.
His release clause is set at around £35m and Osasuna want the clause in full to let him go, while Sunderland need a further £13m on top of their January starting bid.
There’s another problem embedded in the deal, and one that will raise eyebrows at the Stadium of Light.
|
Victor Munoz in all competitions for Osasuna |
Total |
|---|---|
|
Appearance |
31 |
|
Goals |
6 |
|
It helps |
5 |
|
Booking |
3 |
|
Red Cards |
0 |
|
Minutes played |
2,376 |
When Muñoz left the Bernabeu for Osasuna, Real Madrid made sure to retain a 50 percent resale clause in his contract.
It means that if Sunderland were to buy Muñoz for £35m, Real Madrid would have to pocket around £18m for the player they no longer own.
El Pais suggest that Sunderland are now a more reliable destination for Muñoz given their guaranteed Premier League status, and it is likely that this summer’s World Cup will boost the competition.
If Le Bris wants his player-winner, the Black Cats will have to make a decisive move – and accept that they will be financing Real in the process.
The £2m sacked Sunderland looked “better” than Clarke, now he’s done
Sunderland may need to cut a few players this summer to continue their rise under Regis Le Bris.
