Sunderland set to rival Marseille & AS Roma in transfer hunt for 19-goal French forward | OneFootball

Sunderland are battling a number of European clubs, including Marseille and Roma, for Sassuolo attacker Armand Lauriente.

Sunderland are among a host of clubs tracking Sassuolo attacker Armand Lauriente ahead of the summer window.

The 26-year-old played a key role for the side as they won the Serie B title this season, scoring 18 goals in the league, as well as providing five assists.

Despite their promotion, there are doubts about the future of Lauriente, who is about to enter the final two years of his contract with Sassuolo.

Armand Lauriente transfer latest as Marseille, Roma and Sunderland circle

That’s after ASRomaLive revealed that the Rome outfit, Marseille and Sunderland are all fans of the player, with Fiorentina and Bologna also keeping tabs on the forward.

They claim that Sassuolo are willing to do business for their star man if they receive a fee in the region of €20 million, having scored 19 times in all competitions last season.

Interestingly, they add that the most ‘concrete’ options for Lauriente are from abroad right now, which would put Marseille or Sunderland at the front.

However, they indicate that Roma could firm up their interest in the coming days if new boss Gian Piero Gasperini wants to pursue Lauriente’s signature.

Given the calibre of clubs who are linked with Lauriente, you would imagine it would be difficult for Sunderland to sign the attacker.

Roberto de Zerbi’s Marseille will be able to offer Champions League football, whilst Roma, Fiorentina and Bologna are all in European competitions next season as well.

But, the one factor that could swing things in Sunderland’s favour is that boss Regis Le Bris managed Lauriente during his time at Lorient.

The current Sunderland chief only had a short spell with Lauriente as first-team boss, but he was at the club in different roles, including the reserve team head coach, when Lauriente was at the club.

So, he will be well aware of his quality and character, and he will hope the appeal of working with Le Bris again, and Premier League football, can convince Lauriente that his future lies at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are expected to be busy in the market over the coming weeks and months as they prepare for life back among the elite in English football.

The Black Cats hierarchy will know that they need to strengthen the squad, and Le Bris will be seeking as much backing as possible as he looks to add players that can help the group, although sporting director Kristjaan Speakman insists they won’t move away from the core values that put the club in this position.