Sunderland’s summer transfer window has not gone according to plan following their impressive push into European competition last season.
An agent involved in Premier League transfers is believed to have described the state of the transfer window as “mayhem”, with clubs struggling to find quality players at reasonable wages.
The Black Cats travel to Portman Road to face newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday, yet the need for attacking reinforcements remains pressing and unresolved.
Despite finishing seventh last season and securing European football, Sunderland ranked 18th in the Premier League for big chances created, generating just 43 across the entire campaign.
Only Wolves and Fulham created fewer big chances than Sunderland last season, highlighting a clear and urgent need for creative improvement in the final third.
Enzo Le Fee contributed six assists and created 13 big chances in the Premier League last season, but right winger Chemsdine Talbi failed to create a single big chance throughout the term.
Efforts to sign Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo have intensified this summer, with the player keen on a move, but Sporting’s £51m asking price has proven extremely difficult to meet.
As per various Italian sources rounded up by Sport Witness, Sunderland have made a fresh enquiry over Bayer Leverkusen winger Ernest Poku, who has been given the green light to leave the BayArena for £21m.
The 22-year-old Dutchman started 16 Bundesliga matches last season after joining Leverkusen from AZ Alkmaar, posting five goals and five assists across those appearances.
Journalist Ronan Murphy hailed Poku as “the fastest player at the U21 Euros” in 2024, underlining the raw pace and dynamism he could bring to Regis Le Bris’ attacking setup.
Poku has demonstrated versatility throughout his career, operating across both wings, as a centre-forward, and even in wing-back roles, giving Sunderland considerable tactical flexibility.
His career statistics across all positions show 67 appearances as a right winger producing nine goals and 12 assists, reflecting his consistent ability to contribute in attacking areas.
Le Fee followed a winding road through Lorient, Rennes, and Roma before establishing himself as a Premier League performer at Sunderland, and Poku’s career trajectory holds certain similarities.
At £21m, Poku represents a considerably more financially realistic option than the £51m Sporting are demanding for Catamo in an already overinflated transfer market.
Sunderland must act decisively before the window closes to avoid a second-season syndrome that could undermine all the progress made during their remarkable rise up the Premier League.