Sunderland are looking to build on their success in the 2025/26 campaign by adding more quality to their squad in the summer transfer window.
As they close in on the signing of experienced free agent Thomas Meunier, the Black Cats are exploring a deal to sign Argentine forward Matias Soule from Roma.
Regis Le Bris‘ side have already held talks about a potential move for the 23-year-old star, who is valued at £30m by the Italian side this summer.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not they are prepared to pay the £30m fee that will be needed to secure his services before the end of the window.
Where Matias Soule would fit in at Sunderland
Sunderland deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation in 21 of their 38 Premier League matches last season, and Soule could slot in on the right side of the attack.
With Enzo Le Fee in the number ten role and Chemsdine Talbi on the left, the Argentine forward could play in his favoured position on the right flank, where he can cut in onto his left foot.
|
Matias Soule’s versatility |
|
|---|---|
|
Position |
Games |
|
RW |
92 |
|
SS |
49 |
|
AM |
48 |
|
RM |
2 |
|
CF |
1 |
The Roma forward is capable of playing as part of a front two or as an attacking midfielder, as shown by his career statistics, but he favours playing on the right wing.
He has been effective on the right flank for Roma in the past two Serie A seasons, scoring 11 goals and providing ten assists, and could be an excellent addition to Le Bris’ side.
That means that the French boss could play a front four of Soule, Le Fee, Talbi, and Brian Brobbey in the Premier League or Europa League next season, if the club can agree a deal with Roma for the Argentine ace.
The 23-year-old attacker is not the only right winger on the club’s radar, though, and there is no guarantee that they will only sign one player in that area of the park, given that they have an extra competition to play in next term.
Sunderland in talks to sign a bigger talent than Soule
Soule also may not be the guaranteed starter if he arrives at the Stadium of Light, as the club are eyeing a star who could be an even better option on the wing.
Spanish paper Sport claims that Sunderland are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Roony Bardghji from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Black Cats have already made an approach to open talks with the Spanish giants about a deal to bring the Swedish youngster over to England in the coming weeks.
It adds that Barcelona would prefer to sell him with a buy-back option, but they are open to a loan deal, and that Leeds, Brighton, and Aston Villa are also in the race to secure his signature.
Bardghji, who was described as “similar to Lamine (Yamal)” by Deco, struggled for regular game time with the Spanish side in the 2025/26 campaign, starting eight times in LaLiga and the Champions League.
On paper, Soule looks like the better option because he scored six goals and provided five assists in the Serie A, whilst the Sweden international scored one goal and assisted two in LaLiga for Barcelona.
Their per 90 numbers, however, suggest that Bardghji has the potential to explode and offer even more to the team than Soule if given regular game time by Le Bris.
His statistics in LaLiga indicate that he gets into more dangerous goalscoring positions, creates higher-quality chances for his teammates, and takes on opposition defenders with greater regularity in comparison to the Roma star.
The 20-year-old talent is still a young player with potential, rather than a more proven talent like Soule, but his underlying numbers show that he could offer more quality in the final third if given the minutes that he needs to shine.
Bardghji looks like he could be a class above Soule, given his potential to deliver goals and assists even more frequently, but it would be a riskier deal for the club, given his lack of experience at senior level to date.
He is three years younger than the Argentine forward and would arrive at the Stadium of Light with even more potential to grow and develop in the future, possibly making him a better signing for now and for the future.
That is why the Black Cats should prioritise a deal for the Swedish right winger ahead of Soule if they only decide to sign one player in that position.