Armand Laurienté’s Transfer to Sunderland Falls Through at Final Stage

Sunderland’s plan to sign Sassuolo winger Armand Laurienté has failed. The player had traveled to complete his medical exam and sign the contract. However, the deal was canceled on Saturday, and Laurienté will now return to Italy.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Sunderland had agreed to pay Sassuolo €20 million (£17.5 million) for Laurienté. He expected to sign a five-year contract after meeting with Sunderland’s staff in Portugal. However, despite getting close to a final agreement, Sunderland withdrew from the negotiations as some details could not be finalized. Laurienté’s medical exam went smoothly, and the winger will now return to Italy. Sunderland will have to look for other options in attack, with Laurienté previously identified as a player who could add speed and top-flight experience to the promoted side’s attacking line-up.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR SUNDERLAND’S SQUAD

This is a major blow to Sunderland’s squad building process, especially after the club spent close to £100 million on signings this summer. Having won the Championship playoffs, Sunderland’s priority is survival. Laurienté was a key target, especially after Romaine Mundle’s injury left Sunderland without a senior winger. The club is now left without any players who can play as a winger in a front three, and it is evident that they will have to dip into the market for further reinforcements. With Mundle having been crucial in helping Sunderland secure promotion to the Premier League last season, his absence is felt even more acutely now , as reported.

WHAT NEXT FOR BOTH CLUBS?

Sunderland begin their Premier League return with a match against West Ham,another team looking at improving on last season’s performance. Sunderland are currently seen as strong favorites to be relegated. For Laurienté, there still remains uncertainty about where he will play in January. While Sassuolo would have been open to paying him top-tier wages in order to keep him at the club, Laurienté may now have to wait until the summer to secure a move back to the Premier League. He has received substantial interest from other top-flight sides, but a mid-season move for a player who is unable to play in the league might be considered risky.