Sunderland Open Talks With French Side For This Polish Keeper: Ambitious Move From The Black Cats? | OneFootball

In one of his recent posts on X, transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed the growing interest in Marcin Bulka, with Sunderland now joining the race for the Polish international. The Nice ‘number 1’ has been a target for Manchester United, Galatasaray and AS Monaco. But the newly-promoted Premier League side are now in direct talks with the French outfit ahead of an ambitious summer swoop.

The 25-year-old Polish shotstopper spent the youth years with Stegny Wyszogród, MDK Król Maciuś Club Płock and FCB Escola Varsovia back in his homeland before being snapped up by Chelsea for their academy ranks. But he left the Blues upon contract expiry and joined Paris St-Germain on a Bosman in summer 2019.

Emergence In French Football

Being way down the pecking order at Parc des Princes, the French heavyweights sent him out on successive loans to Spanish second-tier outfit Cartagena, Châteauroux in Ligue 2, followed by Nice in the top-flight. The latter had an option-to-buy clause along with the season-long loan, and after featuring in all their cup games in the 2021-22 season, Les Aiglons made his move permanent for a minuscule fee of around €2m.

ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 03: Valentin Castellanos of Lazio scores his team’s second goal past Marcin Bulka of OGC Nice during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between S.S. Lazio and OGC Nice at Stadio Olimpico on October 03, 2024, in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

While he was initially tied down to challenge and cover Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks, the exit of the veteran Dane within a year saw him being promoted as the first-choice since the 2023-24 campaign. Bulka did not miss a single league game over the past two seasons, and Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats boss, along with club chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, are reportedly exploring their contacts and connections in France to secure his services.

Why Sunderland Are Chasing Bulka

Sunderland have Anthony Paterson, who has been protecting the goal since their League One days. Veteran Simon Moore was brought in last summer as the understudy to the homegrown star, but their lack of top-tier experience must be the reason why the club are seeking a renowned name in their last line of defence.

Bulka has entered the final year of his Nice contract, thus alerting the Wearsiders. The Ligue 1 side should accept a cut-price deal to avoid losing him for nothing next summer. But it remains to be seen whether they face any bidding war, particularly from Man United, given their Ineos connection.