Report: Sunderland’s £17.5m move for Sassuolo forward falls through at final stage | OneFootball

Sunderland Shift Focus After Lauriente Deal Falls Through

Sunderland’s proposed £17.5 million move for Sassuolo forward Armand Lauriente has collapsed at the final stage, despite the player flying to Portugal to meet with the Championship club’s squad and coaching staff.

Lauriente had travelled to Sunderland’s pre-season training camp in Portugal, where Regis Le Bris and his squad are stepping up preparations for the new season. The forward was expected to finalise personal terms and undergo medical assessments ahead of what had been anticipated as a near-complete transfer.

Sunderland’s friendly against Sevilla, which ended 1-1, provided the backdrop to the final stages of discussions. Club officials were hopeful that the deal would be concluded within 48 hours.

Photo: IMAGO

Agreement Unravels Despite Initial Progress

While a broad agreement on the fee had been reached between Sunderland and Sassuolo, complications emerged on Monday evening. According to Scott Wilson in The Northern Echo, familiar with the situation, the Championship club was unable to reach a comprehensive agreement with all relevant parties, including Lauriente’s representatives.

That breakdown prompted Sunderland to formally end negotiations, notifying both the Italian club and Lauriente’s camp that they would not be proceeding further. The deal’s collapse is seen as a significant shift in the club’s transfer strategy, especially considering their focused interest in the player in recent weeks.

Injury Setback Prompted Targeted Approach

Sunderland’s decision to pursue Lauriente had been accelerated by an injury to Romaine Mundle. The winger recently underwent surgery for a hamstring problem that will sideline him for the start of the campaign. His absence had highlighted the need for reinforcements in the wide-attacking areas, and Lauriente was viewed as a strong candidate to fill that void.

While Sunderland had explored other options earlier in the window, the deal with Sassuolo had progressed furthest. Now, with negotiations officially off, those alternative targets are expected to be revisited.

Club Expected to Reassess Attacking Options

With pre-season continuing — and a match against Sporting CP on the horizon — Sunderland will likely expedite their search for attacking depth. While this particular deal has fallen through, the Black Cats remain active in the market and keen to strengthen ahead of the new Championship season.

Lauriente, who remains with Sassuolo for now, had been open to the move, but ultimately the final hurdles proved insurmountable. Sunderland’s recruitment team will now look to regroup and respond with agility in the final weeks of the window.