Sunderland’s plans for the upcoming season have taken an unexpected turn as their proposed £17.5 million move for Armand Lauriente from Sassuolo ultimately falls through. Despite the forward’s visit to Portugal to meet with the Championship club’s squad and coaching staff, a deal could not be finalized at the final stage.
Lauriente’s presence at Sunderland’s pre-season training camp in Portugal generated excitement and anticipation of a completed transfer. It was expected that he would finalize personal terms and undergo medical assessments, but disagreements emerged in the final stages of negotiations, leading to the sudden collapse of the deal. The club officials had been hopeful for a quick resolution, especially following their 1-1 draw against Sevilla in a friendly match.
The breakdown in talks has now compelled Sunderland to reassess their transfer strategy, particularly given their focused interest in Lauriente in recent weeks. The injury to Romaine Mundle had already highlighted the need for reinforcements in the wide-attacking areas, and Lauriente was considered a prime candidate to address this gap. However, with the deal with Sassuolo now off the table, the club will have to explore alternative options to strengthen their squad.
As pre-season continues and a challenging match against Sporting CP looms ahead, Sunderland will need to act swiftly to enhance their attacking depth. While the Lauriente deal did not come to fruition, the Black Cats remain actively engaged in the transfer market and are determined to bolster their ranks before the new Championship season begins.
Despite Lauriente’s willingness to join Sunderland, the final hurdles proved insurmountable, leaving him to remain with Sassuolo for the time being. The club’s recruitment team will regroup and shift their focus towards securing new signings in the remaining weeks of the transfer window to ensure they are well prepared for the upcoming campaign.
