Lyon ‘to move Caleta-Car on’ as likely Sunderland fee named – Exclusive
Sunderland are busy utilising their ties in France to sign players ahead of the Premier League season.
Habib Diarra has already agreed to move to the Stadium of Light, despite Leeds United looking like the favourites to sign him.
Another player who has been linked with a move to the North East is Lyon centre-back Duje Caleta-Car.
The Croatian international has Premier League experience, and Sunderland could pounce on Lyon’s relegation to Ligue 2.
Lyon looking to sell Caleta-Car amid Sunderland interest
Southampton supporters gave a less-than-encouraging verdict on Caleta-Car amid news that the Black Cats want to sign him.
The 28-year-old made 13 league appearances for the Saints during the 2022/23 season as they were relegated from the Premier League.
France-based journalist Luke Entwistle has watched Caleta-Car play for Marseille and Lyon and shared his insight on the defender exclusively with Mackem News.
“The decision to relegate Lyon to Ligue 2 will obviously have a big impact on all their future sales in the coming weeks, in particular, whilst they appeal,” he said.
“That obviously has grave ramifications for any potential sales, including that of Caleta-Car. He’s a player who, prior to all of this, they were looking to move on.
“He’d had a pretty middling season, played often alongside [Moussa] Niakhate, but never fully convinced.
“He’s aggressive, he’s built well, he’s strong, but doesn’t always use it. He could sometimes be a bit more aggressive, not brilliant on the ball, even though he is tight, but he’s not the kind of guy who’s going to get you up the field.
| Duje Caleta-Car’s 2024/25 Ligue 1 statistics | Total |
| Appearances | 19 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Clean sheets | 5 |
| Clearances | 5.1 |
| Tackles per game | 1.1 |
| Accurate passes | 47 (91%) |
“Even if Lyon decide to go for the option of not selling on the cheap, I still think that they won’t be able to get more than £8.5million.
“Obviously, he’s a player who has decent value over in the UK, because he’s played for Southampton, and he’s also played for two of the top clubs in France, in Lyon and Marseille.
“He’s someone who has a decent reputation on both sides of the channel, so that does add a little bit of value, and he does have a profile that maybe better supports the Premier League.“
Should the Sunderland pursue Caleta-Car deal?
All the noise around Caleta-Car makes for mixed thoughts on whether he would be a worthwhile acquisition.
He clearly has experience at a high level, but has not been convincing enough for Lyon to want to keep him.
Of course, he does have Premier League nous, but he was not a first-team regular in a dire Southampton side.
His price tag will certainly appeal, but Sunderland must weigh up whether Caleta-Car is worth the outlay.
Sign up for the Mackem News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest,
breaking Sunderland AFC news sent straight to your phone.