Sunderland step up pursuit as Lyon look to cash in on defender | OneFootball

Sunderland Eye Caleta-Car as Lyon Open Exit Door

Sunderland handed major boost in Caleta-Car chase

Sunderland’s summer recruitment plans may be gathering pace, with Duje Caleta-Car emerging as a realistic defensive target. According to The Chronicle, the Black Cats have received a potential green light in their pursuit of the Croatian international, as Lyon prepare to offload the 28-year-old this summer.

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Caleta-Car, who has one year remaining on his current deal in France, has struggled for consistency in Ligue 1. Reports suggest Lyon’s financial position has accelerated their desire to sell, with Turkish sides also expressing interest. But for Sunderland, his availability could be timely.

Head coach Régis Le Bris is understood to favour talent from the French market, and Caleta-Car, with a blend of top-flight experience and international pedigree, fits the mould of a stabilising figure. His 33 Croatia caps and past spell at Southampton, where he featured in the Premier League, offer reassurance to a club re-entering the top flight with ambition but caution.

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Centre-back depth under urgent review

Sunderland’s defensive fragility was clear in the run-in. Luke O’Nien’s consistency has been invaluable, but the injury-prone pairing of Dan Ballard and Aji Alese, along with Chris Mepham’s return to Bournemouth, has left a void in central defence.

Caleta-Car’s physical presence, aerial ability and composure on the ball make him an ideal candidate to complement O’Nien. Should Sunderland move swiftly, they could beat competition from abroad and secure an experienced option ahead of a demanding Premier League season.

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Transfer history underlines pedigree

A £16.2 million move to Marseille in 2018 and a failed £23 million approach from Liverpool in 2021 underline Caleta-Car’s reputation. That level of interest is no coincidence. His eventual path through Southampton and then Lyon may not have hit the heights many expected, but the tools remain — a defender of presence and pedigree now available at a more pragmatic price.

For Sunderland, who have often built with promise rather than profile, this would mark a shift — a signing of statement and structure.

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For Sunderland fans, this is the kind of transfer rumour that feels like a proper step forward. Caleta-Car isn’t a gamble or a project — he’s a player with a serious CV. From Marseille to Southampton to Lyon, and even that near-miss with Liverpool, he’s operated at a high level for years.

After watching last season’s back line struggle with injuries and inconsistencies, the idea of pairing someone like Caleta-Car with Luke O’Nien is exciting. It’s a partnership with balance — one grounded in leadership, experience and a touch of composure in high-stakes moments.

There’s also the sense that this move would signal Sunderland are here to compete, not just to survive. For too long, promotion has been followed by consolidation plans and short-term fixes. This feels different. It suggests a club with a strategy, one that understands the value of Premier League experience without overpaying for past glory.

If the deal can be struck and Lyon’s financial situation helps smooth negotiations, Sunderland fans will be right to dream a little bigger this summer. This isn’t just another signing — it could be the foundation of a more resilient, competitive defence.