Sunderland are ‘serious’ about signing Matteo Guendouzi, this is how much they’re ‘offering’
Matteo Guendouzi could soon return to the Premier League to join Sunderland as the fee that they are willing to offer Lazio for his services is revealed.
Even the most optimistic of Sunderland fans could not have predicted their hugely impressive return to the Premier League that currently sees them sitting in seventh place after 12 games.
The midfield that Regis Le Bris has built has been an integral part of their success so far, with summer signing and captain Granit Xhaka proving hugely influential on upcoming stars like Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki.
Their owners are not resting on their laurels ahead of January, however, with Sunderland targeting an ambitious swoop for Santiago Gimenez and the club set to back Le Bris like they did in the summer.
Xhaka has been linked with a move away from Wearside, and they are assessing midfield targets with the path to sign Matteo Guendouzi now emerging as they prepare a sizeable bid.
Sunderland ‘ready to offer’ £24m to sign Guendouzi
France international Guendouzi has been a key player for Lazio over a number of years now, with a clear improvement in ability and temperament since his time at Arsenal as a youngster.
Sunderland were linked to Guendouzi in the summer, but a move never materialised, yet rumours of a potential approach to financially-troubled Lazio in January have begun to emerge in recent weeks.
Gazzetta dello Sport’s Lazio site Citta Celeste have now reported that Sunderland are “serious” about signing the 26-year-old, and are ready to offer between €27 and €28million (£23.6m-£24.5m) for his services.
Lazio are approaching a key moment as a club, as they are currently under a transfer embargo and potentially facing another ban if they are found to have broken Italian FA rules in their latest accounts.
Regardless of the outcome, they are in serious need of funds in the new year, and so the club may well be open to offers for Guendouzi despite Maurizio Sarri’s desire to keep him at all costs.
What Regis Le Bris has said about Guendouzi joining Sunderland
Sunderland’s interest in Guendouzi has primarily emerged due to boss Le Bris’ exisiting relationship with the midfielder from their time working together at Lorient in France.
The Black Cats manager was asked last week about reports linking the pair with a reunion on Wearside, and refused to rule out such a move.
He said: “It’s too early to speak about the next transfer window. We still have connections with players and Matteo is one of these players because I worked with him in Lorient.”
The stars could soon align for both parties to work together once more, and it would certainly be interesting to see where Guendouzi would fit in Sunderland’s already impressive midfield.