Sunderland are spending big money to prepare for life back in the Premier League and could be preparing a swoop for an RB Leipzig star in their latest move which might stun their rivals.
The Black Cats will soon be commencing life back in the English top flight for the first time since 2017, after winning last season's Championship play-off final by beating Sheffield United.
Since then, Regis Le Bris's side have been incredibly busy on the transfer front with both ins and outs.
Jobe Bellingham followed in his brother Jude's footsteps by moving to Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of some £32m, while Tom Watson headed to Brighton & Hove Albion for £11m.
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With that money coming into the Stadium of Light club, the Black Cats have proceeded to spend that and then some as they aim to stay in the Premier League.
Sunderland have splurged more than £130m over the past two months, including spending around £50m on midfield duo Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra.
Nearly £20m was spent on purchasing winger Chemsdine Talbi from Club Brugge in Belgium, and £21m on Simon Adingra from Brighton.
Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has returned to England from Bayer Leverkusen for more than £17m, while goalkeeping reinforcements in the form of Robin Roefs has arrived from NEC for £11.5m.
According to reports, Sunderland are now targeting an RB Leipzig star as their next summer acquisition, a club which is expected to have fierce competition for some of stars.
Striker Benjamin Sesko is being linked with a move to Newcastle United and Manchester United as both sides seek reinforcements in the centre forward department for varying reasons.
The Magpies could be seeking a replacement for Alexander Isak if the Sweden international departs in due course, while the Old Trafford club are seeking to add goals to their forward line after a disappointing return last season.
Attacker Xavi Simons meanwhile has told RB Leipzig he wishes to depart the club this summer after its failure to qualify for the Champions League for the upcoming campaign, with Chelsea strongly tipped to be his next destination.
But according to respected Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Sunderland are targeting Lois Openda and added his name to their summer transfer shortlist.
The striker has netted 41 goals in 89 games for RB Leipzig across two seasons there.
But Plettenberg adds on social media platform X that it is 'questionable' if the Bundesliga side would be willing to sell the Belgium international if both Sesko and Simons move on this summer.
Topics: Sunderland, Premier League, Champions League, Football
John McDougall