Sunderland Weighing Up Move For This Lyon Centre-back: A Premier League Return On The Cards? | OneFootball

If a recent report from Foot Mercato is believed to be true, newly promoted Premier League outfit Sunderland are weighing up a summer swoop for Duje Caleta-Car. But they are not alone in the race with clubs from Turkey also keeping close eyes on the outcast Olympique Lyonnais centre-back.

The 28-year-old Croatia international progressed through Šibenik’s academy ranks before breaking into their senior squad in the second tier of Croatian football. He then joined Austrian heavyweights Red Bull Salzburg for a modest €50,000 in July 2013 and was sent on back-to-back loans to Pasching and Liefering in the lower divisions of Austria, providing him with regular game time.

Caleta-Car eventually earned a regular role in Salzburg colours, and his rise saw him secure a €19m transfer to French giants Marseille in the summer of 2018. He was even close to joining Liverpool a few years later; however, a move did not materialise due to the Phocaeans’ failure to find a replacement in time. Although he plied his trade in England with Southampton a few months later, the centre-half could not prove his worth in the heart of the backline, with the Saints finishing rock-bottom in the league standings.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 03: Duje Caleta-Car of Olympique Lyonnais battles for possession with Cyriel Dessers of Rangers FC during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Rangers FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Ibrox Stadium on October 03, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After a successful season-long loan, Lyon activated a €3.59m purchase option last summer. But the arrival of Paulo Fonseca as Les Gones’ chief saw him lose his starting status in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign. The Portuguese does not view Caleta-Car in his first-team plans, and the defender, too, would prefer a fresh challenge rather than fighting for his place with the Ligue 1 giants.

Why Sunderland Should Rope In The Croatian

A dramatic play-off final victory against Sheffield United brought Sunderland back to the top flight of the English game after eight long years. A lot has changed at the Stadium of Light, as their ‘French project’ under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has largely been a success so far. Louis-Dreyfus, along with the gaffer Régis Le Bris, used his contacts and connections to land the French pair Enzo Le Fée and Wilson Isidor. They were pivotal to their promotion, but a sterner test awaits next season as the main objective would be to escape relegation.

Despite having Luke O’Nien and Daniel Ballard, who made significant strides in deep defence, their lack of Premier League experience demands reinforcements. Chris Mepham has returned to Bournemouth following a successful loan. But the Black Cats might fail to tie him down permanently amid strong rumours of his potential Sheffield United switch. A move to Wearside could see Caleta-Car grab a key first-team status, and it remains to be seen whether his tenure in France persuades the ex-Lorient boss.