Real Madrid could make a financial gain of £18m via Sunderland as Regis Le Bris’ side receive transfer requests ahead of the summer.
Sunderland finalize summer transfer plan that will see them remain in the Premier League
Sunderland’s first return to the Premier League season exceeded all reasonable expectations.
Last weekend’s 2-1 win at St James’ Park, sealed by Brian Brobbey’s 90th-minute winning goal, the latest Tyne Wear derby victory in the Premier League era, encapsulates everything that makes the Black Cats such a fascinating story.
Le Bris’ men sit comfortably near the top half of the table and the talk around the club is not about survival, but about building.
That ambition is reflected in the name, which is associated with the arrival of summer.
Sunderland are being asked to sign Lutcharel Gertruida on a permanent contract amid interest from a number of rivals, with the option to buy thought to be worth around £20m.
Aston Villa, Everton and Crystal Palace set their sights on Sunderland’s ‘outstanding’ star, with agents also taking note
The Black Cats are facing a threat this summer.
Fulham winger Harry Wilson is another target Sunderland are serious about, although his contract situation at Craven Cottage remains unresolved.
Gabriel Sala, who impressed during his time in England before moving to Galatasaray, is also reported to be a target.
Summer’s profile is clear. These are technically capable young players with something to prove, brought in at a stage where Le Bris can develop them into something better.
Sunderland tell Price about signing former Real Madrid star Victor Muñoz
And nowhere is that model more interesting than in Victor Muñoz’s new pursuits.
According to today’s El Pais newspaper, the 22-year-old Spanish winger is expected to be available in the summer, and Sunderland remain a firm possibility, although his price has fluctuated widely since January.
The Black Cats went so far as to make a formal offer of £22 million during the winter period and Osasuna is reportedly ready to do business at that level.
It was the players themselves who ruined the deal.
Muñoz, a former Real Madrid youth who experienced a public nightmare last season when his mistake in El Clasico cost Los Blancos the La Liga title, has already regained his confidence admirably at Osasuna and decided the timing was not right.
Since then, his stock has risen even more.
He was called up to the Spain national team and scored his debut goal in last week’s friendly against Serbia.
His release clause is set at around £35m, with Osasuna demanding the full amount of the clause to let him leave, and Sunderland needing a further £13m on top of their January bid to trigger the release clause.
The deal incorporates further complications that will likely raise some eyebrows at the Stadium of Light.
Victor Muñoz wins all competitions at Osasuna | total |
|---|---|
Appearance | 31 |
the goal | 6 |
assist | 5 |
reservation | 3 |
red card | 0 |
Play time (minutes) | 2,376 |
When Muñoz moved from the Bernabéu to Osasuna, Real Madrid ensured he had a 50 percent resale clause in his contract.
This means that if Sunderland were to sign Muñoz for £35m, Real Madrid would get around £18m for a player they do not own.
El Pais suggest that Sunderland could be a more reliable destination for Muñoz given their proven Premier League status, and competition could well increase with this summer’s World Cup.
If Le Bris wants his winger, the Black Cats will have to act decisively and accept that they will be giving Real a windfall in the process.
Sunderland’s £2m exile looked ‘better’ than Clarke, but now he’s done
Sunderland may need to offload a few players this summer to continue their rise under manager Regis Le Bris.
