Sunderland in contract talks with £10m star player who would be a big upgrade over Diarra

Sunderland spent a fortune final summer time, signing central midfielder Khabib Diarra from Strasbourg for a club-record £27m.

The Senegalese worldwide was signed for £6m greater than Simon Adingra’s £21m, the second-highest signing within the membership’s historical past, however he has not lived as much as that value this season.

Diarra, who got here on as an alternative in final weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wolves, has made 18 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats, scoring simply two targets with a 3.29xG.

The gifted 22-year-old has struggled to make an affect outdoors of possession at Sunderland, shedding 54% of his floor duels and 57% of his aerial duels in that division.

Regis Le Bris at present averages 0.8 tackles and 0.2 interceptions per sport within the Premier League, indicating that the midfielder hardly ever makes a big contribution defensively.

Sunderland near signing German central midfielder

Diarra might lose his place within the beginning XI for the 2026/27 season because of his lack of consistency within the closing third and struggles off the ball.

The Black Cats are already working behind the scenes to signal a participant in his place and are reportedly eager on a star participant who could possibly be an improve on him in midfield.

In response to Sky Deutschland through Sport Witness, Sunderland are one in all quite a lot of golf equipment curious about signing Schalke central midfielder Sufjan El Faouj in subsequent summer time’s switch window.

In response to stories, the Black Cats have inquired a few switch for the German star and have entered into negotiations over a possible contract through the offseason.

Nonetheless, he added that Scottish giants Celtic and Premier League rivals Brentford are additionally in talks with Schalke and are contemplating signing him.

Sky Deutschland additionally revealed that the Bundesliga second division champions worth the 23-year-old at round £10m, which might not be too costly for Sunderland.

How Sufian El Fawzi will improve Habib Diarra at Sunderland

The Black Cats might strengthen their midfield by signing El Faouzi and beating Celtic and Brentford. His type this season suggests he could possibly be an improve over Diarra.

Having created 11 extra ‘huge possibilities’ and 10 extra xA this season, the German starlet might supply his crew much more as a inventive risk if he can carry his type into the Premier League.

These statistics recommend that El Faouzi, who additionally has two targets within the second division of the Bundesliga, is a magician with the ball at his ft, at all times in a position to unravel opposition defenses with magical moments, one thing Diarra was unable to do.

As beforehand talked about, the £27m Sunderland miss has struggled in possession within the Premier League this season, averaging lower than one deal with per sport and shedding nearly all of his floor and air duels.

Then again, El Fauzi has a tremendous common of three.0 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per sport within the second division of the Bundesliga, and likewise boasts a 54% win price in floor battles within the German second division.

The gifted 23-year-old might supply Sunderland extra in possession than Diarra, together with his tackles, interceptions and duels in the course of the park breaking apart opposition assaults.

El Faouzi is untested in Europe’s main leagues and can be a threat for the Black Cats, however his type at Schalke suggests he could possibly be an important signing for Le Bris.

That is why the membership should press on to win the race to signal Schalke’s star participant when the summer time switch window formally opens subsequent month. As a result of he can enhance the crew and add much more creativity and defensive high quality to the midfield gamers.