Sunderland ready to move for forward in January – Report

Sunderland ready to move for forward in January – Report Sunderland Eye Geny Catamo January Move as Sporting Winger Remains Top Target Sunderland are preparing to revisit their pursuit of Geny Catamo in January, with the Sporting CP winger still viewed as a priority target after an unsuccessful summer attempt. According to TeamTalk, the Black Cats remain firmly interested in the 25-year-old and are expected to return with a fresh approach when the market reopens. Catamo was a major focus for Sunderland before the season began. Sporting stood firm throughout those discussions, making clear that the player’s “€60million (£50.3m / $67.3m) release clause would need to be met”. Sunderland, for their part, were willing to stretch to “€40million (£33.5m / $44.5m)”, but that fell short of Sporting’s demands. That did not bring the interest to an end. The latest indication is that Sunderland “have not given up on Catamo and are ready to return to the negotiating table when the transfer window reopens in January”. For a club navigating the demands of Premier League football alongside a packed schedule, that persistence makes sense. There is a clear desire internally to add more attacking quality and depth, and Catamo appears to remain central to that planning. Geny Catamo remains central to Sunderland plans The report states that Catamo is still “their top option on the right flank” after Sunderland “carried out extensive work on his suitability”. That language points to more than a passing interest. It suggests a target who has already been analysed in depth, both stylistically and financially, and one the recruitment department believes can adapt to the level and intensity required. There is encouragement in the player’s own position too. Catamo “was keen on the prospect of moving to England during the summer, and that desire remains unchanged”. In a market where top targets can quickly drift out of reach, that matters. It does not lower Sporting’s valuation, but it does offer Sunderland a platform if they decide to push hard again. Importantly, the winger’s focus on a potential move has not disrupted his performances in Portugal. He has “registered three goals and four assists so far”, reinforcing the belief that he can offer end product as well as flexibility across attacking areas. For Sunderland, that output only strengthens the case for reviving the deal. Sporting stance and Premier League interest could shape deal The challenge is obvious. Sporting’s stance was firm in the summer and there is no sign yet of a significant softening. Sunderland know “securing a deal could prove difficult given Sporting’s firm stance and the growing competition for his signature”. That competition is a serious factor. Newcastle United “have also carried out work on Catamo”, while Everton, Leeds, Bournemouth and Brentford are all said to have monitored him in recent weeks. In practical terms, that means Sunderland may need to move with conviction and clarity if they want to avoid a drawn-out situation becoming more complicated. The North East angle adds a little extra intrigue. If Newcastle advance their own interest, Sunderland would be trying to land a player already attracting broad Premier League attention, while competing against a nearby rival with strong pull. Even so, the key point in the report is that Catamo “remains the leading option on Sunderland’s radar”. Matias Soule interest fades as January focus sharpens There had also been interest in Roma’s Matias Soule as Sunderland considered alternative options in attack. That avenue now appears to have closed. The report says the Argentine “is no longer an option for the club”, with his progress in Italy strengthening Roma’s hand and effectively taking him out of Sunderland’s thinking. That leaves Catamo firmly in focus. His versatility, proven output and apparent openness to a Premier League switch fit what Sunderland are looking for in the winter market. The issue, as ever, is price. If Sporting maintain their insistence on a figure close to the release clause, Sunderland will need to decide whether to raise their level significantly or test the Portuguese club’s resolve through negotiation. Either way, the message is clear. Sunderland are expected to make “another concerted effort when the January window opens”, and Geny Catamo is the name to watch closely as the club plans its next move. Our View This feels like exactly the kind of move that could lift the whole place. There is ambition in targeting a player of this profile, and there should be. If the club genuinely believes Catamo can make “a significant impact on Wearside”, then January is the time to prove it with action. The right side has needed more threat, more drive and more end product. A player with pace, directness and numbers in his game would change the look of this team. The fact he still wants to come to England is encouraging, and it gives Sunderland something to work with if they are serious enough. The concern is obvious, Sporting’s valuation is huge and the competition is growing. Newcastle being in the frame only adds to the pressure. But that is where strong recruitment teams earn their reputation. If the groundwork has already been done, the club cannot afford to drift while others circle. There is also something energising about seeing Sunderland aim high after a tough start. Supporters want to see a squad that can cope with the demands of the season and still attack games with purpose. Catamo looks like a player who could bring exactly that. If there is a deal to be made, this is one worth pushing hard for. Source: TeamTalk