Sunderland plotting transfer move for winger | OneFootball

Highlights

footballleagueworld video of the day

Sunderland are interested in signing winger Alexander Aravena from Chilean side Universidad Catolica.

That's according to a report from Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, via Sport Witness, who say that a number of clubs across Europe and South America are keen on the 21-year-old.

Who is Alexander Aravena?

Having come through the youth ranks with Universidad Catolica, Aravena is now making a name for himself with the club at senior level.

The 21-year-old has made 36 appearances in all competitions for the club to date, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in that time.

Aravena also impressed during a loan spell with another Chilean top-flight side, Nublense, last year, where he netted 12 goals and supplied three assists in 38 games.

That form has already earned the winger seven senior international caps for Chile, and it seems as though it has attracted plenty of attention in him, from across the football world.

Could Sunderland sign Aravena?

According to this latest update, Sunderland made enquiries to sign Aravena in the summer transfer window, although no deal would ultimately materialise.

It is thought that Spanish side Granada, Dutch club AZ Alkmaar and Belgian outfit Club Brugge were also among those to express an interest in Aravena over the summer.

Meanwhile, it is now claimed that Brazilian top-flight side, Athletico Paranaense, have made contact about a potential move for the winger.

As things stand, Aravena's contract with Universidad Catolica is set to expire at the end of this calendar year, meaning he is due to become a free agent in little more than a month's time.

That is something that could of course, potentially open the door for Sunderland to make another move to try and secure the services of the 21-year-old, come the turn of the year.

Where are Sunderland in the Championship?

Following their run to the Championship play-offs last season, Sunderland have made a similarly strong start to the current campaign.

The Black Cats have already picked up 26 points from their 16 league games so far this season, meaning they sit sixth in the second-tier table as things stand, 13 points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Following the international break, Sunderland are set to return to action on Saturday 25th November, when they make the long journey south to Home Park, to take on Plymouth Argyle.

Would Aravena be a good signing for Sunderland?

It does feel as though revisiting their interest in Aravena could be a sensible move for the Black Cats to make.

The 21-year-old is showing a considerable amount of promise with his form for Universidad Catolica, and the fact that he is earning him international opportunities, and attracting so much interest, shows how good he can be.

Weekly wages: Sunderland AFC's top-10 highest earners (Ranked)

As a result, this could be something of a coup for Sunderland if they win the race for his signature, and the fact they have recruited from the Americas recently, bringing in Jewison Bennette from Costa Rica, could give them confidence about a deal such as this.