Report: Sunderland pushing hard to wrap up move for £30m star | OneFootball

Sunderland Push for Matias Soule Deal as Roma Winger Emerges as Priority Target

Sunderland are working intensively on a deal for Matias Soule, with the Black Cats hopeful of making the Roma attacker their first signing of the summer in the coming days. According to Northern Echo, the winger’s future is expected to be resolved within the next week, and there is growing belief that an agreement can be found.

Discussions have taken place between Sunderland and Roma over a player valued at around €35m, which is approximately £30m, and while no deal has yet been completed, the sense around the situation is that the move remains very much alive. Sunderland’s senior figures are understood to be heavily involved, both in talks with Roma and in efforts to convince the player’s camp that Wearside offers the right next step.

Matias Soule move gathers pace

The pitch from Sunderland is clear. Premier League football, Europa League involvement and the project under Regis Le Bris are all being placed front and centre as they seek to persuade Soule to choose the Stadium of Light. The 22-year-old has been presented with multiple options this summer, so the task for Sunderland is to show that this is a sporting opportunity capable of accelerating his career.

There are also established relationships at play. Soule’s agent, Martin Guastadisegno, has reportedly been in England for talks with both Sunderland and Fulham, while Sunderland director of football Florent Ghisolfi is already known to the player’s representative from previous dealings in Italy. Connections do not complete transfers on their own, but they can help smooth a complicated process.

Photo: IMAGO

Soule has now returned to Italy ahead of Roma’s pre-season and, when asked directly about his situation, replied: “Will I stay? Honestly, I don’t know.” That line is brief, though revealing. It points to uncertainty around his place and supports reports that both player and club would prefer clarity quickly.

Why Soule fits Sunderland

From Sunderland’s perspective, the appeal is obvious. Soule is predominantly a right winger, an area that required strengthening for long spells last season, and he also offers flexibility in central attacking positions. That versatility carries weight in a squad preparing for the demands of domestic and European competition.

His numbers at Roma also underline why interest is strong. Last season he made 41 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists as Roma secured Champions League qualification. Sunderland would be targeting a player with top-level experience, strong availability and room for further growth.

Financially, this would represent a major statement. Roma signed Soule from Juventus for €26m, around £22m, two summers ago, and Sunderland are now exploring a deal worth more than that. It is ambitious, though it matches the club’s recent intent in the market.

Tarik Muharemovic and Arthur Masuaku latest

Elsewhere, Sunderland have also moved for Tarik Muharemovic, the Sassuolo centre-half who appears likely to leave this summer. Competition is significant, with Leeds United and Bournemouth also understood to have held talks. That may prove a harder deal to win, particularly if the market accelerates.

There is also uncertainty around Arthur Masuaku. The defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Lens after joining Sunderland last summer, and with no permanent move materialising, he is due back for pre-season at the Academy of Light.

Asked whether he expects to remain at Sunderland, Masuaku said: “Honestly, I don’t know. At the end of the month I will return to training at my club, I will play and regarding the rest of my career my agent will handle it. For now, I’m going back to my club.” It is a practical response and one that leaves the door open to several outcomes before the window closes.

Our View

From a Sunderland supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the kind of update that gets the excitement building. Soule feels like a proper statement target, the sort of player who tells everyone Sunderland are back at the top table and ready to attack this season. A £30m move would be huge by club standards, and if the recruitment team can get this over the line, it would send a powerful message across the Premier League.

What stands out most is the profile. He is young, technically strong, proven in Serie A and capable of playing in the wide areas or more centrally. That sort of flexibility matters when you are balancing league football with Europa League matches. Sunderland needed more quality and incision on the right, and Soule looks like someone who could genuinely transform that side of the attack.

The quote, “Will I stay? Honestly, I don’t know,” feels encouraging too. It suggests there is a real opening here. If the club can sell the vision, the crowd, the stadium and what is being built under Le Bris, there is every reason to believe Wearside can be an attractive destination. Fans will know nothing is done until the paperwork is signed, but this is the type of rumour that makes you dream a little. If Soule arrives, optimism around the season goes up another level.

Source: Northern Echo