(Credit: Imago)

Sunderland can solve centre back issue with Pietro Comuzzo transfer

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

Published on:

06 Aug 2025, 8:30 am

Sunderland are striving to sign a new centre back ahead of the impending Premier League season.

The Black Cats have already significantly strengthened their midfield, with Granit Xhaka a landmark arrival at the Stadium of Light.

However, defensive reinforcements are needed, given the injuries to Luke O'Nien and Dennis Cirkin, among others, and the Wearsiders have been linked with a move for Fiorentina centre-back Pietro Comuzzo.

Xhaka arrived from Bayer Leverkusen (Credit: Imago)

Sunderland to compete with Manchester United for Comuzzo

Jhon Lucumi was a primary target for Sunderland, but they were unable to convince the Colombian to move to Wearside.

Since then, the Black Cats have been linked with players, but have been unable to get a new centre back through the door.

Bafode Diakite and Loic Bade have both been targeted by Sunderland as the Wearsiders look to Europe to acquire talent.

In addition, the North East club have shown interest in Comuzzo, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.

(Credit: FBRef, powered by Opta)

Premier League duo Man United and Nottingham Forest are also monitoring the 20-year-old.

Regis Le Bris could welcome Comuzzo to Sunderland (Credit: Imago)

Sunderlandthe to break bank for Comuzzo?

Sunderland have twice broken their record transfer fee this summer by signing Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra.

The latter arrived in the North East for £30million, eclipsing the £19.3m spent on the Frenchman.

Considering that the Black Cats have already spent north of £100million this summer, it feels unlikely they would want to spend big money again on Comuzzo.

Sunderland have spent more than £100million
Diarra is the most expensive player in their history
Yet to sign a new centre back

However, the quality of defender they have been pursuing means they must be prepared to spend a sizeable figure.

Signing a defender is of paramount importance, given the lack of fit centre-backs available to Le Bris.

The last thing the Mackems will want is to start the campaign with a weak backline.

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Pietro Comuzzo