Sunderland keen on 2-cap international but Kyril Louis-Dreyfus warned of ‘massive transfer fee’.
Sunderland’s transfer reach under Kristjaan Speakman has stretched far and wide, with players having arrived from Australia, South America, and all of Europe during his time with the club so far.
Kristjaan Speakman has recently surpassed four years as sporting director at Sunderland. During his tenure, he’s had his share of critics, but the Black Cats boast an expensive and exciting squad now, largely thanks to him.
Sunderland have several players who they’ll inevitably cash in for big transfer fees down the line. One example right now is Jobe Bellingham who’s valued at £20million, and is wanted by the likes of Arsenal.
Speakman is always on the lookout for the next big star. His transfer approach has seen Sunderland sign the likes of Nectarios Triantis from Australia and Jewison Bennette from South America too.
And Speakman has also made good use of the English and European markets with Sunderland often poaching youngsters from clubs within the continent. Now though, he seemingly has his sights on a player in South Africa.
READ MORE: Possible Sunderland and Newcastle United groundshare mooted amid plans to renovate St James’ Park
Pirate’s South African midfielder #14 Monnapule Saleng (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier Soccer …
Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images
Sunderland handed Thalente Mbatha transfer update
Recently, Sunderland have been linked with Orlando Pirates and two-cap South African international midfielder Thalente Mbatha. But soon after the link was first revealed, the 24-year-old’s agent denied any interest from the Black Cats.
An emerging report from popular South Africa new outlet Briefly has since clarified the situation, confirming that Sunderland do have an interest in Mbatha. Their sources also state that Mbatha would require a ‘massive transfer fee’ as he only joined the Pirates permanently in the summer.
Briefly said that their ‘source’ tell them: “Although his agent denies it, there is interest from Sunderland AFC in England for Mbatha, but Pirates has no intention of selling the player.
The report goes on to add: “If Sunderland wants him, then it will have to be a massive transfer fee, but all indications are that Pirates want to keep him because he is a key player for coach Riveiro, and Mbatha is very happy here.”
