Sunderland can cause Leeds United more misery as transfer lined up for £30m ‘diamond’
Sunderland are looking to beat Leeds United to yet another statement signing this summer.
Twelve new arrivals have checked in at the Stadium of Light this summer, and several of those had been linked with both Sunderland and Leeds.
Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra made a club-record move to Sunderland, and was closely followed by Union Saint-Gilloise’s Noah Sadiki, both of whom had attracted interest from the Whites.
Now, Sunderland are looking to do it again in the final days of the window, with the signing of a forward described as a “diamond in the rough” by journalist Zach Lowy on X.
Sunderland lead Leeds in chase for Dilane Bakwa signing
Simon Adingra and Chemsdine Talbi have both strengthened Sunderland‘s wide options, but the Black Cats still want more in the final six days of the window.
That is where Dilane Bakwa comes in, with a report from Leeds Live stating that “contacts close to Strasbourg outline that Nottingham Forest and Sunderland are further down the road in the transfer chase,” with Leeds also interested.
According to Isaac Johnson via X, Strasbourg are holding out for a fee in the region of £30million for Bakwa, which would be a similar commitment Sunderland made for Diarra.
The Frenchman has already registered two assists in as many games in Ligue 1 this season, despite having started neither.
Who is Sunderland’s latest target Dilane Bakwa?
At just 22 years old, Bakwa has already made 122 senior appearances in France, most of which have been in the top flight.
Since joining Strasbourg in 2023, Bakwa has delivered consistently, with 14 goal contributions in his last season.
Bakwa’s last three campaigns.
- 24/25 – 31 appearances, six goals, eight assists
- 23/24 – 35 appearances, five goals, nine assists
- 22/23 (Bordeaux) – 39 appearances, five goals, seven assists
He is a direct, tricky right-winger who likes to cut in on his left foot, and that is exactly what Sunderland need to sign in the final days of the window.
Nottingham Forest are also in the race, with his future expected to be cleared up in the coming days.
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