Sunderland are on the cusp of signing free-agent Ian Poveda but are also eyeing up a defensive target this week as Regis Le Bris looks to bolster his backline, according to reports.
Poveda recently left Leeds United following the expiration of his contract after four years with the West Yorkshire side. The winger was also wanted by West Bromwich Albion as well as Sheffield Wednesday, where he spent the latter half of the 2023/24 campaign under Danny Rohl’s guidance. However, the Black Cats are set to win the race for his signature as the player was recently spotted at the SAFC Academy of Light holding up a shirt.
Ian Poveda to Sunderland? #safc pic.twitter.com/Y0qxg7yBi9
— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) July 24, 2024
The former Chelsea and Barcelona youth player will become the club’s third signing of the summer transfer window and the second since Le Bris was announced as Michael Beale’s permanent successor in the dugout after Alan Browne’s arrival as a free agent from Preston North End.
Furthermore, SM Caen centre-forward Alexandre Mendy declared over the weekend that he has also chosen to sign for Sunderland and will complete his medical in due course. Foot Mercato revealed that the Wearisde outfit have beaten clubs like Al-Riyadh, Al-Ahly and Sampdoria to acquire the 30-year-old centre-forward. This deal will likely be concluded very soon.
Nevertheless, Le Bris is still looking to bolster his squad before the new season commences in just over two weeks. Journalist Michael Graham has reported that Sunderland have enquired to newly-promoted Premier League side Leicester City to take young centre-back Ben Nelson on loan for the forthcoming campaign, although several other English sides want to sign the England U20s defender who boasts a market value of £340,000, as per Transfermarkt.
Writer’s View
Sunderland haven’t lost any central defenders this summer which is certainly a positive for Le Bris going into the new season. Both Luke O’Nien and Dan Ballard will likely be his first-choice defensive partnership when the club travel to Wales to play Cardiff City on the opening day next month.
However, having defensive reinforcements isn’t a bad thing, particularly if O’Nien or Ballard get injured, and Nelson could be the perfect backup centre-half. Additionally, he made five appearances for Leicester in the Championship last term, meaning he won’t be completely unfamiliar with the division.
Deputy Head of Writing
