Real Madrid could be handed an £18 million financial windfall via Sunderland as Regis Le Bris‘ side are given a transfer demand ahead of the summer.
Sunderland’s summer transfer plans with Premier League stay confirmed
Sunderland’s first Premier League season back has exceeded every reasonable expectation.
A 2-1 win at St James’ Park last weekend — sealed by Brian Brobbey’s 90th-minute winner, the latest goal ever scored to win a Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League era — encapsulated everything that has made the Black Cats such a compelling story.
Le Bris’ men sit comfortably near the top half of the table, and the talk around the club is not about survival but about building.
That ambition is visible in the names linked with summer arrivals.
Sunderland have been urged to seal a permanent deal for Lutsharel Geertruida, amid interest from a host of rivals, with the option to buy believed to be priced at around £20m.
The Black Cats face a threat this summer.
Fulham winger Harry Wilson, whose contract situation at Craven Cottage remains unresolved, is another target Sunderland have been working on with genuine intent.
Gabriel Sara, who impressed during his time in England before moving to Galatasaray, has also been reported as a target.
The summer profile is clear — young, technically capable players with a point to prove, acquired at a stage when Le Bris can develop them into something better.
Sunderland told price to sign ex-Real Madrid gem Victor Munoz
And nowhere does that model manifest more interestingly than in the renewed pursuit of Víctor Muñoz.
According to El Pais today, the 22-year-old Spanish winger is expected to be available in the summer — and Sunderland remain firmly in the picture, though the price has moved substantially since January.
The Black Cats had gone as far as making a formal offer of £22m during the winter window, and Osasuna were reportedly prepared to do business at that level.
What killed the deal was the player himself.
Muñoz, who came through the Real Madrid academy and endured a very public nightmare when his miss in El Clasico contributed to Los Blancos losing the La Liga title last season, had already rebuilt his confidence spectacularly at Osasuna, and decided the timing wasn’t right.
Since then, his stock has risen further.
A call-up to the Spain national team was followed by a goal on his debut against Serbia in a friendly last week.
His release clause is set at around £35m and Osasuna are demanding the clause in full to let him leave, with Sunderland needing an additional £13m on top of their January bid to trigger it.
There is a further complication embedded in the deal, and one that will raise eyebrows at the Stadium of Light.
|
Victor Munoz in all competitions for Osasuna |
Total |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
31 |
|
Goals |
6 |
|
Assists |
5 |
|
Bookings |
3 |
|
Red Cards |
0 |
|
Minutes played |
2,376 |
When Muñoz departed the Bernabeu for Osasuna, Real Madrid ensured they retained a 50 per cent resale clause in his contract.
It means that if Sunderland were to buy Muñoz for £35m, Real Madrid would pocket roughly £18m for a player they no longer own.
El Pais suggest Sunderland are now a more credible destination for Muñoz given their proven Premier League status, and there is every chance a World Cup showing this summer will sharpen competition further.
If Le Bris wants his winger, the Black Cats will need to act decisively — and accept they will be financing a windfall for Real in the process.
£2m Sunderland outcast was looking “better than” Clarke, now he’s finished
Sunderland may need to cut a few players loose this summer to continue their rise under Regis Le Bris.