In the ongoing battle for the signature of Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa, Sunderland’s pursuit has hit a roadblock as Fulham have now entered advanced talks to secure the 22-year-old’s services. The Black Cats, who have been eyeing Bakwa for weeks, are under mounting pressure to finalize a deal before the transfer deadline on Monday.
Transfer insider Pete O’Rourke revealed that Fulham is aggressively pursuing Bakwa in a bid to outmuscle Nottingham Forest for his signature, intensifying an already competitive race for the talented winger. Sunderland, who have been linked with the French U21 international, appear to be ahead in the race compared to Leeds United, who are also interested but lagging behind in negotiations.
Strasbourg is standing firm on their €35 million (£30m) valuation of Bakwa, who has become a sought-after player with impressive stats of 11 goals and 20 assists in 69 appearances across all competitions. With two assists already in the current Ligue 1 season, Bakwa’s stock is rising, making him a valuable target for clubs looking to bolster their squads.
Sunderland, eager to strengthen their squad under Régis Le Bris, are now facing stiff competition from Fulham, Forest, and Leeds in the final days of the transfer window. With uncertainty surrounding the outcome, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman expressed the club’s commitment to building the best squad possible for their Premier League campaign, emphasizing the need for short-term success while also considering the club’s long-term future.
