Expert thinks Sunderland can secure the signing of Chelsea attacker

Sunderland’s ambitious summer recruitment plans have taken a dramatic turn, with former Everton CEO Keith Wyness suggesting that the club could be in for a high-profile coup, a move for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling.

While the name may raise eyebrows, the report is being taken seriously by the club’s backroom team.

At 30, Sterling brings a pedigree few promoted sides can match. After starring at both City and Liverpool, his experience of competing at the top level and winning major honors would be invaluable for Sunderland.

His presence could provide a significant lift to both the dressing room and the pitch.

Sunderland backed to sign Chelsea star Raheem Sterling

Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, described Sterling’s options as limited given his situation at Chelsea and pointed to Sunderland, alongside Leeds and Burnley, as possible destinations.

“I think it’s going to be a big problem to move him on.

“I think you’re really going to be restricted, in my opinion, to the three clubs coming up – Leeds, Burnley, Sunderland. I think that’s where he might find a space.

“But again, the wages are going to have to be really heavily subsidised to get him any move at all. But I think it’s going to come to the point that that will be the case.

“It’s going to be a difficult move and I don’t know how long he’s got left on his contract yet, but still it’s going have to be Chelsea subsidising those heavily to get him out there.”

Sterling has no future at Stamford Bridge

Having spent last season on loan at Arsenal, the English attacker failed to live up to expectations at the Emirates Stadium.

His Chelsea career is now uncertain with the player no in the plans of manager Enzo Maresca.

The Blues are looking to younger options in the market for the wide attacking positions which makes it clear that Sterling has no future at Stamford Bridge.

Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is a player on the radar of the Blues this summer.

Lyon’s Malick Fofana is another player being chased by the Premier League giants.

Talks held: Chelsea considering £85m star, Man United were also keen on swap deal

Sunderland in formal talks with Europa League star but politics could hold up transfer

Sunderland are in formal talks with Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat. The Black Cats are the most advanced of any club pursuing the 23-year-old this summer

Sunderland are leading the chase for Dynamo Kyiv’s striker Vladyslav Vanat this summer.

The 23-year-old, who has an impressive scoring record in his home country of Ukraine, has been linked with several Premier League clubs, but it’s the Black Cats who have made the most significant moves so far.

It’s understood by Chronicle Live that Sunderland had already devised a strategy to pursue Vanat if they secured promotion to the top flight, even before last season ended. Their 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the play-off final confirmed their promotion, and the club’s hierarchy has maintained their interest in the forward.

Currently, Sunderland are the only Premier League team formally in discussions with Vanat’s representatives. It’s anticipated that an agreement on personal terms could be swiftly reached if both clubs can agree on a transfer fee.

However, there could be a stumbling block. Reports suggest that Dynamo are asking for as much as £21million for Vanat, who has never played club football outside Ukraine.

The Ukrainian side is adamant about not lowering their asking price. The management in Kyiv would ideally like to retain Vanat for their Champions League qualifying campaign, which is set to kick off on 22 July, reports the Express.

Sunderland’s pursuit of Dynamo Kyiv’s Vanat could be hampered by the complex political climate in Ukraine, making it difficult for the selling club to secure a top-tier replacement.

Given this, it’s unlikely that Sunderland will be able to acquire Vanat for less than Dynamo’s valuation early in the transfer window.

Vanat, a product of Dynamo’s academy, made his senior debut as a teenager and became a regular in the first team at the start of the 2022/23 season.

The Ukrainian international, who has scored twice in 11 appearances for his country, boasts a record of 27 goals in 67 matches for his club.

He also has experience playing in the Europa League, having made several appearances in the competition over the last two seasons.

Last season, Wilson Isidor was Sunderland’s leading scorer in the Championship with 13 goals. The French striker initially joined on loan from Zenit before the move was made permanent during the winter transfer window.