Sunderland AFC eyeing up potential Lyon transfer agreement - he's got 33 international caps | OneFootball

Croatian defender Caleta-Car is on the Black Cats' transfer radar...

Sunderland are reportedly monitoring the situation of Lyon defender Duje Caleta-Car, who only departed English football less a year ago after a stint with Southampton.

The Black Cats are on the lookout for fresh faces to bolster their ranks ahead of their Premier League return after eight years away from England's top flight, and attention will need to be put on Regis Le Bris' defensive unit.

Chris Mepham has headed back to Bournemouth at the end of his loan, meaning at least one new centre-back will be needed this summer, and it appears that owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus could be using his links to French football to eye up a signing or two.

Sunderland keeping tabs on Lyon defender Duje Caleta-Car

Reports have already suggested that Sunderland are one of the clubs looking into making a bid for Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga, with the ex-Tottenham man having a £1.2 million release clause for top flight outfits, but their net is being cast wider than British shores.

As per a report from Foot Mercato, the Wearsiders are also interested in a potential deal for Duje Caleta-Car, who wants out of Lyon after two years at the club - one as a loanee and one as a full-time player after making his temporary switch from Southampton a permanent one last summer.

The 28-year-old, who has been capped 33 times for Croatia's national team, will be allowed to depart the Groupama Stadium, as per the aforementioned report, having fallen out of favour not long after his permanent transfer to the French club, who are in somewhat of a financial crisis and need to cash in on some players to satisfy the French footballing authorities.

Caleta-Car revealed earlier this week to Croatian media whilst on international duty that he was not happy at his 2024-25 season with Lyon, after spending much of the second half of the campaign on the bench under manager Paulo Fonseca.

The Croat spent just one year in English football with Southampton during the 2022-23 season, appearing only 13 times in the Premier League for the Saints as they were relegated to the Championship, and he made the swiift exit on the back of their drop into the second tier for Lyon.

Duje Caleta-Car's Lyon contract situation amid Sunderland interest

It is not clear as to whether Sunderland are looking into a loan or a permanent move for Caleta-Car, but it likely wouldn't come too cheap - unless Lyon in their financial woes offer him out for a cut-price fee.

Caleta-Car signed for the French side for €5.79 million (£4.93 million) including add-ons last year, penning a three-year deal - although it looks like he may only get one year into it before he's moved on.

Capology estimate that Caleta-Car is earning €45,385 (£38,627) per week at Lyon, and prior to any promotion wage rises being activated, Sunderland's highest estimated earner last season for a permanent player was Dan Ballard at £25,000 a week, so it would likely take an increase in the pay structure at the Stadium of Light to land a deal.