Sunderland ‘to announce’ Thomas Meunier as Noé Lebreton and Brooke Norton-Cuffy links, £42m striker tracked | OneFootball

Sunderland’s transfer drive is gathering pace, with Thomas Meunier poised to join and fresh links to Folarin Balogun, Noé Lebreton and Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

Fabrizio Romano says Meunier has passed a medical and agreed a two-year deal, while Sky Sports indicates an announcement is due on Wednesday. TEAMtalk says Everton lead the chase for Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy, valued at about £17 million, with Sunderland monitoring. Nicolò Schira says Sunderland are among clubs following Monaco’s £42 million-rated Folarin Balogun. FourFourTwo links NEC Nijmegen’s Noé Lebreton. Alfredo Pedullà reports Juventus could push for Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí after funds from Leeds’ £34 million move for Tarik Muharemović, sending about £17 million to Turin via a 50 percent sell-on.

Meunier is available on a free after leaving Lille and would add international know-how while competing with Trai Hume at right-back. His arrival could allow Nordi Mukiele to feature more in central defence.

Norton-Cuffy, 22, has progressed in Serie A since leaving Arsenal and plays right-back or wing-back. Sunderland are assessing defensive options under sporting director Florent Ghisolfi.

Balogun, 25, rebuilt at Reims before joining Monaco and would be an ambitious target. There is no suggestion Sunderland have bid or entered advanced talks.

Lebreton, 22, recorded seven goals and six assists in 27 Eredivisie games, helping NEC finish third and reach the Champions League third qualifying round. He can play centrally or higher and fits Sunderland’s model, though no fee or medical is confirmed.

Leeds’ move for Muharemović followed Pascal Struijk’s exit and may aid Juventus’ Lucumí push once funds arrive. The Colombian’s clause of about £24 million is due to lapse and Sunderland’s stance is unclear.

Source: Sunderland Echo