Sunderland get transfer green light as defender target set to leave Lyon

Sunderland could be handed a significant boost in their bid to sign Lyon defender Duje Caleta-Car, with the French outfit reportedly ready to cash in on the 28-year-old.

Reports in France last week claimed the Black Cats are keeping an eye on Caleta-Car, who has one year left on his contract and has been in and out of the first team last season.

With Sunderland head coach Regis Le Brisattracted to the French market, the club could make a move for the highly-rated Croatian.

Lyon are said to be experiencing financial difficulties and are looking to sell the player this summer, with Turkish clubs also interested in his services.

Caleta-Car’s arrival could go a long way to solve that problem, as Sunderland need a solid defensive core to have any hopes of surviving in the Premier League.

Now 28, he has already exchanged hands for big money having joined Marseille in 2018 on a five-year deal for a transfer fee of £16.2m.

At the end of the January 2021 transfer window, Premier League side Liverpool launched a £23m bid to secure his services but the move failed to materialize as Marseille didn’t have enough time to sign a replacement.