Sky Sports: Sunderland in ‘Advanced Talks’ to Sign £18m Ligue 1 Star | OneFootball

Sunderland Eye Premier League Stability with Bulka Talks Underway

Fresh from their dramatic 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Championship Play-Off Final, Sunderland are wasting no time preparing for life back in the Premier League. According to Sky Sports News‘ Keith Downie, the club have opened talks with French side OGC Nice over the signing of Marcin Bulka, signalling clear intent to strengthen their squad in key areas.

The 25-year-old Polish international has been identified by the Black Cats as a key target to challenge Anthony Patterson for the No.1 shirt. Towering at 6ft5in, Bulka’s profile certainly fits the bill for a Premier League goalkeeper, and with only one year left on his contract, Sunderland appear poised to make a shrewd move.

“Talks surround a deal in the region of £18m, but no agreement is in place between the two clubs at this stage,” Sky Sports reported.

Photo: IMAGO

Prioritising Premier League Readiness

It is clear that Sunderland’s recruitment strategy has shifted since their Wembley triumph. With the top flight looming, the need to bolster the core of the squad is more urgent than ever. Sky Sports notes that the club are “looking to strengthen the spine of their team,” and bringing in Bulka would do just that.

There’s a tactical intelligence behind this move. While Patterson has impressed during Sunderland’s promotion campaign, adding experienced top-flight competition between the posts could be vital to their survival ambitions. Bulka, who previously worked with soon-to-be-confirmed Sporting Director Florent Ghisolfi at Nice, has a blend of European experience and physical presence that Premier League clubs often demand from their shot-stoppers.

Contract Situation Presents Opportunity

What adds intrigue to this transfer is Bulka’s contract situation. The Polish keeper has “rebuffed a renewal” from Nice, effectively putting the Ligue 1 side in a position where selling him now may be their best option.

From Sunderland’s perspective, it could be a calculated move to land a high-potential player at a reasonable fee. At £18 million, it’s certainly not a budget deal, but it reflects both the ambition of the club and the pressing need to ensure they don’t make the common mistake of underinvesting upon promotion.

Familiar Faces and Strategic Moves

Bulka’s previous relationship with Ghisolfi, who has yet to be officially unveiled by Sunderland, adds another layer to this developing story. Ghisolfi is expected to bring a data-driven, continental approach to recruitment, and this potential signing could be a sign of what’s to come. That Ghisolfi and Bulka have worked together before suggests trust and mutual understanding — qualities that can fast-track adaptation in a new environment.

“Bulka, a Polish international, has just a year left on his contract at Nice and has rebuffed a renewal.”

It remains to be seen whether the deal gets over the line, but if Sunderland are to avoid becoming another yo-yo club, signings like this could prove critical.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Let’s be honest, it still feels surreal. We’re back in the Premier League! And not even a month later, we’re hearing that Sunderland are negotiating an £18 million deal for a Polish international goalkeeper from Nice. If you’d told me this a year ago, I’d have laughed you out of the pub.

The fact that we’re going for someone like Bulka — someone with height, experience and European pedigree — shows that this club isn’t just happy to be back. We’re here to compete. It’s also a massive show of ambition that we’re not resting on our laurels with Patterson. He’s been brilliant, but competition breeds excellence, and Bulka coming in could push him even further.

From the outside looking in, £18m might raise eyebrows. But with the money sloshing around the top tier and considering the importance of a reliable keeper, it might end up looking like a bargain. If we pull this off, it’ll be a serious statement to the rest of the league — Sunderland are not just back, they’re building something.