Sunderland strike transfer agreement as Talbi flies in for medical
Sunderland’s transfer window has burst into life over the last few weeks.
The Black Cats had made it to the end of June with the permanent acquisition of Enzo Le Fee standing as their only summer signing, but there has been a flurry of activity on Wearside since then.
Sunderland beat Leeds United to Habib Diarra, and have also added the promising youngster Noah Sadiki to their ranks.
There have been several exciting links emerging from the Stadium of Light, including Chemsdine Talbi, and it now appears that the Belgian winger is destined to make the switch to the North East.
Talbi to fly in for medical on Monday
Sunderland recently reached an agreement with Club Brugge to sign Talbi, and it now seems like a matter of time before he joins Régis Le Bris’ squad.
The 20-year-old is in line to become the Mackems’ fourth signing of the summer ahead of their Premier League return, and it seems as though the deal could be finalised imminently.
Talks between the two clubs reached their conclusion last night, and Talbi is flying into the UK to complete his medical on Monday (7 July), according to Brugge-based journalist Tomas Taecke (7 July).
It is understood that Sunderland will pay a fee “well over” £17.2million once bonuses are included.
Talbi adds to Sunderland’s crop of young stars
The Stadium of Light has become something of a home for young talent in recent years, and that looks set to continue upon Sunderland’s return to the Premier League.
| Sunderland | 23.2 |
| Stoke City | 24 |
| Sheffield United | 24.5 |
| Norwich City | 24.6 |
| Watford | 25 |
Le Bris achieved promotion with the youngest squad in the Championship last term, and it now looks as though the established starlets like Chris Rigg and Eliezer Mayenda will be joined by a new crop of promising youngsters.
Sunderland’s spending so far has focused on players who are ready to come in and perform in the Premier League, but there has also clearly been an effort to target players who have a huge scope to develop further.
Diarra and Sadiki are aged 21 and 20 respectively, while Talbi is also still in the early stages of his career.
There will be plenty of scrutiny on how they adapt to the Premier League, but for now, at least, Sunderland appear to be making sensible long-term investments.
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