AliousSunderland “SERIOUS” About £26.5m January Move for Guendouzi — and Lazio May Be READY to Cash In!
Sunderland continue to be strongly associated with a possible January transfer push for Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, even though the player himself recently attempted to deflate rumours of any imminent departure from the Rome-based side.
Over the last few weeks, the former Arsenal midfielder has been consistently linked with a potential £26.5 million move to Wearside, with Sunderland routinely portrayed as determined admirers of his playing style and leadership qualities.
However, Guendouzi has personally tried to neutralise speculation for now. Following Lazio’s 2–0 victory over Lecce — a match in which he scored the opening goal — the Frenchman was directly questioned about his future and the Sunderland rumours. His response, reported via Tuttomercatoweb, emphasised unity and present-focused ambition: “For me, we’re all focused on the present. We’re united, and that’s fine.”
Beyond that, the 26-year-old reached a notable milestone: surpassing 100 appearances for Lazio across just two and a half seasons. For Guendouzi, that achievement is one he wishes to build upon rather than walk away from. He noted: *“For me, it’s a great thing because I’ve played over one hundred games in just two and a half years, but I want to continue playing in this jersey and score more goals and win more games with the team. For me, that’s the most important thing.”
So what is actually happening behind the scenes?
Despite his comments, the concrete nature of Sunderland’s interest has continued to surface. According to Il Messaggero, Lazio’s financial situation may force them to consider selling key assets in January — and Guendouzi is specifically mentioned as someone they would “welcome” bids for as the club attempts to stabilise their accounts. The anticipated price tag — once again around £26.5 million — aligns with earlier rumours, and the Italian outlet reinforces the idea that Sunderland are *“serious”* about trying to secure his signature.
In addition to Guendouzi, forwards Taty Castellanos and Gustav Isaksen are also reportedly in contention to depart as Lazio explore transfer-window revenue opportunities.
What has Régis Le Bris said publicly?
Speaking before Sunderland’s recent fixture against Fulham, head coach Régis Le Bris confirmed that he maintains personal communication with Guendouzi from their shared time at FC Lorient. While he declined to state whether the Black Cats will make an official bid, his connection to the player adds undeniable momentum to the rumour.
Le Bris commented: *“It’s too early to speak about the next transfer window. We still have connections with players, and Matteo is one because I worked with him at Lorient. But at the minute nothing, it’s too early. We have really good midfielders, so we’ll see.”
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