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Sunderland in Talks for £22.5M Leicester Star as Premier League Rivals Circle – Club Pushing Hard to Strike Bargain Deal Amid Fierce Transfer Race
Sunderland have opened negotiations with Leicester City over a potential move for one of the Foxes’ standout midfielders, according to reports. The Premier League newcomers are eyeing a major summer coup, targeting a player who impressed during a difficult campaign that saw Leicester relegated back to the Championship.
The 21-year-old midfielder, viewed as one of the few positives from Leicester’s disappointing season, has drawn widespread attention from top-flight clubs across Europe. With a reported release clause of around £22.5 million (approximately €26 million), any club hoping to secure his services will need to commit to a significant investment—though Sunderland are working to reduce that fee.
According to *L’Équipe* journalist Loïc Tanzi, Sunderland are actively negotiating with Leicester City in an attempt to bring the price down. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tanzi reported:
> “Sunderland continue to negotiate with Leicester to lower the €26m clause, which also includes a 10% sell-on fee. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are also in the mix, while Monaco are monitoring the situation but waiting for movement in their squad before acting.”
In addition to Sunderland, other clubs including West Ham and Everton have been linked with a move for the young midfielder, further intensifying competition in what’s shaping up to be one of the summer’s most intriguing transfer battles.
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has acknowledged that the club are still in the market for key reinforcements. Speaking to *Sky Sports*, Speakman explained:
> “We still need to bring in several more players in certain areas. We’re measured in our approach – we’re not reactive. The goal is to identify the right profiles and act decisively when we find them. We want to maintain momentum and start the season strong. That’s why we’ve acted quickly on the players we believe in. It reflects our ambition and the clear direction this club is heading in.”
With Sunderland showing clear intent and competition heating up, the race for Leicester’s prized midfielder is far from over—but the Black Cats appear determined to stay in the hunt.
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