Sunderland and Leeds ‘made approaches’ for Gabriel Sara, offers rejected | OneFootball

Fotospor reports that Sunderland and Leeds United held January talks over signing Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara, but both approaches were turned down as neither the player nor club found them attractive.

The Black Cats focused on outgoings, though wingers Nilson Angulo and Jocelin Ta Bi arrived, and goalkeeper Melker Ellborg was added to compete with Robin Roefs.

Specifics of the discussions were not disclosed, and Sara is said not to have seriously considered leaving Galatasaray. It is unclear whether either club will revisit the situation in the summer. Other reports put his valuation at around £26.2 million.

Sara joined Galatasaray from Norwich City in 2024, having started out at boyhood club Sao Paulo in Brazil. Since moving to Türkiye he has eight goals and 13 assists in 77 appearances, with half of those strikes coming in his last five outings.

"We play to win every game we play. We will play to win the Champions League, the Super League and the Turkish Cup." The comments were given to Fanatik in July.

"Playing only in the Super League, it can be a bit difficult to make it to the Brazilian national team. It's a dream from childhood."

Source: Sunderland Echo