According to reports from Ed Aarons, Sunderland held talks with former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita but were unable to agree on terms.
The Black Cats, who sit top of the Championship after a perfect start to the season, had hoped to add the Guinean international to their ranks but will now turn their attention elsewhere. The signing would have been a huge coup for Sunderland, had they managed to get it over the line.
Keita rose to prominence with RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig, where his performances earned him a £52.75m move to Liverpool in 2018. However, Keita’s time at Anfield was marred by recurring injuries, which limited his impact during his five-year stint under Jürgen Klopp.
Despite flashes of brilliance, consistency eluded him, and he struggled to secure a regular starting spot in Liverpool’s star-studded midfield. Keita’s tenure saw him win multiple trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League, though he rarely featured in the club’s most defining moments. After leaving Liverpool in 2023, he joined Werder Bremen but is now reportedly seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere.
While the Keita deal may have fallen through, Sunderland still bolstered their squad with four new signings before the transfer window closed. Milan Aleksic, Chris Mepham, Salis Abdul Samed, and Ahmed Abdullahi will all be looking to make an impact in red and white this season.
The Wearside club, who have won all four of their opening league games, have shown no signs of faltering despite losing key player Jack Clarke before their clash with Burnley. Clarke’s departure raised concerns about Sunderland’s ability to maintain their form, but Romaine Mundle has stepped up admirably, finding the net in both games since Clarke’s exit.
Sunderland’s transfer activity has ramped up in recent weeks, with the club being linked to a higher calibre of players. The surprising late move for Keita, who currently plays for Werder Bremen, was a signal of their ambitious recruitment strategy. However, despite the discussions, terms could not be agreed, and Keita is now reportedly in talks with Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir.
Heading into the international break, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris will be pleased with his side’s early-season form but is mindful of the long road ahead. After the break, Sunderland face a tricky trip to Plymouth Argyle, where they will look to continue their unbeaten run and make it five wins from five.
Writer’s View
The 29-year-old would certainly have added quality to Sunderland’s midfield, but given the size of the package required to get him, they may have dodged a bullet. Plenty of their issues from 2016 onwards have been around big money buys with little resale value, and big contracts they struggle to pay when they hit bad form. That’s not a trap the Black Cats should be falling into again.
Clarke. Mundle. Trai Hume. These are the sort of players they need to be buying, developing and selling, or even trying to hang on to. Young guns with the ability to win matches, but the longevity to maybe earn those big eight-figure sums, which will keep the club ticking over as they march towards the Premier League.
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