In a recent update, Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali has provided further details regarding Armand Laurienté’s imminent move to Sunderland. Carnevali confirmed that the transfer of the 26-year-old forward is in its final stages, with Laurienté currently en route to undergo a medical examination ahead of his switch to the Premier League club. The two clubs have reportedly reached a comprehensive agreement, with an official announcement expected within the next 48 hours. Carnevali expressed confidence in the deal, stating, “It’s almost done. The player is on his way for medicals, and we’ve already reached an agreement with Sunderland. We’re in the final stages – I think we’ll make everything official tomorrow or Sunday.”
The transfer fee for Laurienté is believed to be in the region of €20 million, equivalent to approximately £17.5 million, marking one of Sunderland’s biggest financial outlays in recent memory. It is anticipated that Laurienté will put pen to paper on a five-year contract, solidifying his commitment to the English side. His arrival is seen as a significant move under the guidance of head coach Régis Le Bris, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, and director of football Florent Ghisolfi.
Having netted an impressive 18 goals last season, Laurienté played a pivotal role in Sassuolo’s successful campaign to secure promotion back to Serie A. Known for his versatility as an attacker, Laurienté is comfortable operating both centrally and on the left flank – a position where he excelled under Le Bris during their previous stint together at Lorient.
While acknowledging Laurienté’s departure as a major loss for Sassuolo, Carnevali emphasized the financial benefits that will enable the club to reinvest in new acquisitions, preparing them for the challenges of the upcoming season. “It’s going to be a difficult season,” Carnevali remarked. “Laurienté’s departure will bring us around €20 million, a figure that will allow us to make useful investments to face the championship. We still have a lot to do – I’m not saying we’re behind, but the market is long and complicated.”
Sunderland is expected to officially unveil Laurienté over the weekend or early next week, subject to the successful completion of the player’s medical examination and the necessary paperwork. The club’s pre-season preparations are currently in full swing in Portugal, culminating in a friendly match against Sevilla on Saturday.
In a separate development, Kristjaan Speakman, Sunderland’s sporting director, has reiterated the club’s commitment to adding more players to their squad despite a flurry of new signings in the current transfer window. Speakman revealed in a recent interview with Sky Sports that the Black Cats are actively seeking additional reinforcements to ensure a competitive squad for the challenges of the Premier League. Despite completing six signings, including the acquisition of Simon Adingra from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported initial £18.5 million, Speakman emphasized the importance of finding the right players to boost Sunderland’s prospects in the upcoming season.
“We’ve still got several more players that we need to acquire in certain areas of the pitch,” Speakman disclosed. “I’ll leave that a little bit loose for you but we have to try to find the right players. We’ve never been knee-jerk in our decision making. We’ll try to be calm, but it’s the balance of being calm, waiting and trying to find [players]. Also knowing that you’ve got the right ones and being decisive.”
Reflecting on the club’s ambitions, Speakman underscored the significance of momentum and strategic decision-making in the transfer market. He highlighted Sunderland’s determination to establish a competitive squad that can make an impact in the Premier League under the ownership’s vision and club direction. The club’s proactive approach to securing key signings reflects their commitment to building a solid foundation for the challenges ahead.
