Chelsea ‘most likely to do a deal’ for Sunderland-linked Alajbegovic as Poku ‘set for’ England | OneFootball

Chelsea are seen as favourites to land Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen, a World Cup winger linked with Sunderland, with The Telegraph reporting they are "most likely to do a deal".

Sunderland have made only one addition so far before their maiden Europa League campaign, with Belgium international Thomas Meunier signing a two-year deal after leaving Lille earlier this summer.

Alajbegovic, a Bosnia and Herzegovina teenager, featured in all four of his country’s matches in North America and scored in a 3-1 win over Qatar. The Black Cats were among the clubs credited with an interest.

Bild claims Leverkusen have taken a surprise turn on Ernest Poku and will open talks over a possible deal during the final six weeks of the window. The 22-year-old posted six goals and ten assists in 49 appearances last season and had been expected to figure this term. It adds Bayer would authorise a fee around £22m and that the winger is "set for a move to England" before early September, with Sunderland and Nottingham Forest named as potential suitors.

Should Chelsea complete an agreement, Sunderland would likely miss out on Alajbegovic.

Source: Sunderland Echo