Sunderland Consider Move For This Emerging Italian Centre-back: Why Le Bris Must Make The Call | OneFootball

If a recent report from FootItalia is believed to be true, Premier League newcomers Sunderland have identified Lorenzo Pirola as one of their summer targets. They are keen on bolstering their backline, having been linked with several centre-backs throughout the window, and the Olympiacos youngster, valued at around €25m, is now high on their agenda.

The 23-year-old Italy U21 skipper progressed through the academy ranks of Casatese, Missaglia, COSOV, and Luciano Manara before being roped in by Inter Milan. After progressing through their esteemed youth set-up, he made his senior debut back in July 2020. However, the Serie A giants sent him on loan to Monza for the next two seasons in the second tier of Italian football.

While his minutes in Lombardy were limited through injuries, Pirola played a key role in their top-flight promotion towards the closure of the 2021-22 campaign. He returned to Inter but was roped in by Salernitana, initially on a season-long loan. The Serie A side triggered the option-to-buy clause to snap him up on permanent terms, but their relegation last year saw the young centre-half ply his trade to Greece with Olympiacos.

What He Would Offer At The Stadium of Light

The Azzurri prodigy featured 33 times in all competitions and was also instrumental to last season’s Super League and Greek Cup triumphs. Primarily left-footed, he has also been deployed as a makeshift left fullback. Also, his ability to operate from the left in a ‘back three’ would allow Regis Le Bris to tweak his strategy and formation by bringing Pirola’s flexibility into play.

SALERNO, ITALY – APRIL 05: Nedim Bajrami of US Sassuolo battles for possession with Lorenzo Pirola of US Salernitana during the Serie A TIM match between US Salernitana and US Sassuolo – Serie A TIM at Stadio Arechi on April 05, 2024 in Salerno, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Sunderland are having a busy summer since scripting a dramatic Premier League return. They lost Jobe Bellingham and Tom Watson, but have spent more than £100m already to find the right balance between youth and experience.

Why Sunderland Must Script Defensive Reinforcements

Despite bolstering their midfield and attacking third, veteran left-back Reinildo Mandava has been their only defensive recruitment so far this summer. The former Atletico Madrid star, roped in on a Bosman, should make it to the starting XI until Dennis Cirkin returns from his injury; however, skipper Luke O’Nien, along with the young defensive duo Aji Alese and Leo Hjelde, are also nursing their respective fitness concerns. They have not brought Chris Mepham back, even though the Welshman had a productive stint on loan from Bournemouth, thus heavily reliant on Daniel Ballard in their ongoing pre-season.

Timothée Pembélé, Jenson Seelt and Nectarios Triantis are training with the Black Cats for now, but the Wearsiders are actively looking for a new central defender, with Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí and Bafodé Diakité of Lille also being on their wishlist. It remains to be seen how desperate they are for Pirola before the season kicks off in a couple of weeks.