‘Sunderland make Milan Aleksic exit decision as Armand Lauriente deal nears’
Sunderland are set to complete yet another eye-catching deal in the transfer market as they close in on Sassuolo winger Armand Lauriente.
As they strive to bridge the gap to the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship, Sunderland have signed Simon Adingra from Brighton, as well as players like former Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo.
Adingra and Reinildo could help the Black Cats avoid the relegation fate suffered by the last six teams to win promotion to the top flight.
But as Regis Le Bris continues to bolster his Sunderland squad, the 49-year-old will have to facilitate further player exits after Adil Aouchiche joined Aberdeen on loan.
Sunderland set to part company with Aleksic amid Lauriente update
The recent acquisition of Adingra has strengthened the left-wing position, which spells bad news for Milan Aleksic’s Sunderland future.
Despite joining the Black Cats from Serbian side FK Radnicki last summer, Aleksic made just nine appearances across all competitions in 2023/24.
Meanwhile, matters have gone from bad to worse for the 19-year-old’s chances of playing a role in Sunderland’s Premier League future, as the North East side are closing in on fellow left-winger Armand Lauriente.
Fabrizio Romano revealed via Instagram on Friday, 18 July: “Sunderland agree deal to sign Armand Lauriente as their new winger.”
Now that Le Bris has added to left-wingers to his squad this summer, it is the right time to part company with the out-of-favour Aleksic.
Lauriente boosts Le Bris’ survival chances
Adingra is Sunderland’s only summer signing who boasts vital Premier League experience, but fellow summer additions such as Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra should have what it takes to adjust to the top flight of English football.
| Armand Lauriente stats | Serie B 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 33 |
| Goals | 18 |
| Assists | 5 |
Diarra was a key player for Strasbourg last term, helping Liam Rosenior’s men finish seventh in French Ligue 1 by notching four goals and five assists in 30 league outings, whereas Sadiki played for Belgian outfit Union St Gilloise in both the Champions League and the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Lauriente’s imminent signature should be a major positive for the Black Cats, as he fired Italian side Sassuolo to promotion from Serie B to Serie A by scoring 18 goals in 33 appearances.
The 26-year-old has previously performed well in both Ligue 1, with his former club Lorient, and in the Italian top flight with Sassuolo.
Elsewhere, football commentator Ian Darke outlined in a Mackem News exclusive that Sunderland will have to pay big money to sign ex-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka.